In Tucson we have most of the BIG BOX stores and food chains, but I prefer to shop at locally owned businesses whenever possible. Oddly enough, however, when a business cops an attitude of indifference to my presence, or seems annoyed I’m in their establishment, it’s more often than not local business owners and employees rather than the national chains.
Why that is, I do not know. It’s not like I’m carrying my accordion or banjo with me. I don't need a fanfare, just civility when it comes to service.
So it was that twelve years ago this month, Bimsco True Value Hardware on North Stone Avenue slammed its doors shut forever. I dug up something I had written in 2009 about my last visit and thought I’d share it with you.
Pictured here is the current business occupying the building, from Google Earth
For 20 years I've been going to Bimsco Hardware off and on, mainly due to the name, but today was my fare-thee-well. Mrs. Bimsco, the lady that's held court at the checkout counter since the Civil War, has never been full of cheer, but today...jeeeezuz. She was barking into the phone pinched on her shoulder with a soon-to-be ex-husband over some dispute with the children and their dogs outside the trailer or some such thing all while ringing up the customers ahead of me in line. I thought that this might not be good. It was my turn so she rang up my items, which were for my work, so I asked for an itemized receipt rather than just the register receipt. I managed to get that across as she was sighing and releasing grunts and groans. We finished the order but I found she made a minor mistake in the pricing of one of the items. I tried to communicate this among more sighing and grunting as she grabbed my receipt and started to tap numbers furiously into the register. It was getting very weird and more than tense so I just tugged on the old receipt and gasped that I'm fine with the 50¢ difference as 3 or 4 customers behind me were starting to sweat and tremble. I managed to get my goods in a bag and made it to the door. The air outside never felt so good. I've never felt such a longing for Home Depot as I did then. And I'm sure Mrs. Bimsco will nary give the day a thought.
And now, more philosophy!