New Location, Same Reliable Business
For more than 100 years, Center Hardware has been the go-to destination for trade professionals, engineers, contractors, craftspeople, designers, artists and residents. Center Hardware & Supply Co. was established in 1946, but its roots date back to the 1880s, evolving from two San Francisco hardware stores, PA Smith Hardware & Glass and Ocean View Hardware.
Key Takeaways
- San Francisco store supports B2B customer base
- The company added new categories, including housewares, during the pandemic
- Library ladders from the previous store were incorporated in the new location after moving in 2017
In January 2017, Center Hardware expanded and relocated again to its current location, which has over 100,000 items in stock. The store specializes in B2B, maintenance/repair/operations, procurement and custom orders. During the pandemic, it expanded into housewares and other more DIY-focused categories, says chief operating officer Jamie Gentner.
The main checkout area includes the library ladders used in the company’s former location, which were a hallmark of that store and now serve as a conversation starter at the current location. The library ladders also provide access to the tool walls, which Gentner says she is proud of because of the depth of inventory for those products.
“We are one of the few places that has the full run of sizes and specialized pieces,” she says. “While we sometimes have dead inventory, it’s worth it to be able to provide those unique pieces customers need when they need them.”
