Ayers Variety and Hardware

 

0

9

Cari D.

Arlington, VA

Ayers has been in Westover since the 1940s, and looks it. It's full of quirky stuff like red & white checked vinyl tableclothes, housecoats, embroidered hankies, pop guns, candy necklaces and silly toys. They're also a decent hardware store where you can buy plants, gardening supplies, get keys made, paint mixed, etc. Everyone is friendly and shopping there is always a cheery, campy, kitchsy delight.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

11

Henry S.

Arlington, VA

I always come here if I need something on a Saturday, and don't want to fight my way to Home Depot.  They almost always have what I need, and actually have people who know what they're talking about to help you.  I buy all of my plants and flowers here in the spring too; they have a better selection than anywhere else.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

45

157

Kristina B.

Cambridge, MA

Ayers has created many shopportunities for me through 26 years of Arlington (or nearby) residency, all the while maintaining its character and charm.

When I was a little girl, I came to Ayers with my parents and always made a beeline straight for the My Little Pony shelves within the toy section.  The very fact that Ayers even had My Little Ponies wows me and gives it automatic stars.  To this day, I wish I'd bought Gusty, my favorite of the Unicorn & Pegasus 1984 series (white unicorn with green & pink hair and purple gilttery maple leaf decorations).  

By middle school, my love for the MLPs had turned to love for giggly after-school trips to Ayers for Airheads candy and blue canvas binders upon which to doodle during classes across the street at Swanson Middle School.  Ah, how I miss passing notes written in Pentel marker on notebook paper and camouflaging with said binders...that was totally the precursor to texting.

Post-college, my Ayers trips expanded to actual hardware procurement, shocknapping expeditions, and window-shopping before picking up six-packs of Harpoon IPA next door at Westover Market (Harpoon in VA is like sweet tea in MA).  Like Ryan W., I gladly paid a little more to support the locals (and save the peace of mind I wold have lost during a typical Home Depot sojourn).

Post-move to Massachusetts, Ayers will be a nostalgic stop during parental and friend visits...if only it'd bring back some vintage MLPs!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

8

105

Ryan W.

Arlington, VA

You gotta love a locally owned and operated place like this.  This place has the most amazing assortment of stuff: hardware and housewares and kickknacks for just about any purpose.  Now, it's not as all encompassing as Home Depot, and is slightly more expensive, but I'll pay a small premium for the convenience and to keep this colorfull local place in business.  The hours are quirky (they close at 8:50PM some nights) but that's part of the charm.  If I was a kid growing up in this neighborhood, I'd love Ayers just for all the cool stuff they've got for kids.  If Normal Rockwell painted a scene in a sundries store, it should've been set in Ayers.

Note:  In the Spring it's a great place to buy herbs and veggies for your garden.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

4

41

Jim A.

Arlington, VA

What's not to like? This is  a classic hardware store with everything you need - from snow shovels, to supplies for school projects, to garden supplies to penny candy.

They really pack a lot into their small space. And you can be in and out faster than you can find a parking space at Home Depot.

Please support this local institution - it's been in Westover since the 40s!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review