RIP, Dale Hardware — GreenKeys Locksmith

Dale Hardware was the greatest hardware store in the country. I should know — I worked there in my early 20s, in the tool department.

GreenKeys Locksmith van parked in front of Dale Hardware store

It was really sad to see it go. Stores like Dale Hardware barely exist anymore.

Illustration of a yellow bulldozer looming over the small Dale Hardware store

Ben at the checkout counter inside Dale Hardware, with a woman behind the counter and a Dale Hardware gift cards display in the foreground

Inside Dale Hardware at the checkout counter, with a man behind the counter and a woman in a Dale Hardware shirt

I was also the very last customer at Dale Hardware. Here is the receipt. The last item ever purchased at Dale Hardware was a Schlage deadbolt, which, given what I do for a living now, feels about right.

Paper receipt from Dale Hardware, the last purchase at the store

Ben walking out of Dale Hardware through the glass doors, carrying a green Dale Hardware crate

This is me walking out of the store for the last time, as the official last customer of Dale Hardware.