Robinson’s ACE Hardware
June 23rd, 2008
The other day I was working in the yard and realised I’d need some grass patch stuff. My first instinct was to go to White Hardware, conveniently located a few blocks away but the pain set in when I remembered that they recently closed.
For some reason I had it in my head that Monick wasn’t open Sundays (but they are) so I was weighing my options. I really don’t like going to mega-store Lowes or dealing with all the traffic lights and the whole atmosphere of Home Depot so what came to mind was taking a trip “up north” to lovely Saxonville and going to Robinson’s ACE.
When I first moved back to Framingham (3 years ago now) I was bummed that Lincoln Discount Drug was gone ( I just had a “thing” for Lincoln Drugs, particularly the Milford store) but I have to say that Robinson’s uses the space well and it’s kept up nice. The few times I’ve been here, I found that the place is well organized and the staff is really helpful and friendly.
Such was the same for this visit, it might have been a little further to drive to than Lowe’s but the pleasant shopping experince was worth it.Â
The plaza parking lot is probably just as big as Lowe’s but it’s not an ocean of cars and there’s not a frenzy of people trying to find a good spot. I just parked and went in, got what I wanted, walked up to the register, paid and left. No lines, no wandering a warehouse packed to the ceiling, moving out of the way for an employee riding through the store on a motorized forklift- just a simple, straightforward shopping experience.
I’ll place Robinson’s Ace in the coveted “yay” category. It’s worth a trip up north any time!
I use Ace most times. The experience is personable and not expensive. The only thing I would change is the time the store opens on Sundays. Noon is late for us so if we don’t get a plan in motion by Friday, we end up at the bigger stores. Which I don’t like using, becasue I lose points on my Ace card!!
Carol
Comment by Carol — June 24, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Plus after toting everything to the car, you can go next door to Hometown Hot Dogs and get a home-brewed root beer. (Or have a yummy meal — they have some amazing relish choices and great steamed dogs with a nice snap to them.)
Comment by MsBart — June 24, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I rediscovered Robinson’s this weekend. A cheerful staff member helped me figure out what I needed for the garden, and then walked me around the store to get the other things on my list.
Afterward I stopped at Advanced Gem jewelers to replace a watch battery, and the post office, and the McAuliff Library. It was a grand slam of convenient errands. If only I liked hot dogs, it would have been perfect!
Comment by Janet — June 24, 2008 @ 9:02 am
It’s our first stop for all our hardware needs. If they don’t have it, they can get it, usually in a day or two.
Comment by ptcakes — June 24, 2008 @ 9:48 am
It’s just down the street from us and we use it frequently, especially for propane refills for our Mosquito Magnet. In fact, when we went to get a Rubbermaid storage bench this spring, I checked around on prices, and they came in $50 cheaper than Target!! I called, they had 1 in stock, and were perfectly happy to hold it for us until my husband could pick it up in his van. They’ve always been very helpful.
Comment by Krista — June 26, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
It’s great that the employees at Robinson’s Ace always seem to find you and come to YOU. Versus you walking around aimlessly (like at Home Depot or Lowes) trying to find someone. My trips are always quick. They almost always walk me to the item (not just telling me aisle number and sending me on my way) and checkout is fast and easy.
Comment by Tanya — June 29, 2008 @ 12:49 pm