Downtown Hardware Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Downtown Hardware closing in March

Posted at 8:48 am January 10, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Roger Clary and Ann Clary Bratton, co-owners of Downtown Hardware Company, pose with photos from the storeâ€™s 64-year history and hold a photo of Clary family members who have worked at the store over the years. Downtown Hardware is closing in March so the Clarys can retire. A store liquidation sale is going on beginning Jan. 10, 2020. (Submitted photo)

Downtown Hardware is closing in March, after more than 64 years of being in business in Oak Ridge.

Downtown Hardware was one of the first businesses to set up in the â€œDowntown Shopping Centerâ€ built in 1955 in what is now Main Street Oak Ridge.

“We were located on Wilson Street in the bottom floor of the building that now houses the American Museum of Science and Energy,” a press release said.

Today, Downtown Hardware is located at 298 South Illinois Avenue, facing Tuskegee Avenue in Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Winter Farmers Market opens for second season Saturday, bringing local foods indoors

Posted at 11:03 pm December 1, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

With greenhouses and hoop houses, local farmers are able to grow everything from kale to red, ripe tomatoes all winter long, and they will be for sale at the Winter Farmers Market in Oak Ridge, starting Dec. 2, 2017. (Photo courtesy Grow Oak Ridge LLC)

The Winter Farmers Market by Grow Oak Ridge LLC opens for its second season on Saturday, offering fresh, locally grown farm products indoors all winter to Oak Ridge. The market will open Saturday, December 2. It will be open the following Saturdays through February, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the gym at St. Mary’s School, which is at 323 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge. It is closed December 23 and December 30.

â€œYou’ll see an even bigger selection of selection of locally grown produce this year, including red, ripe tomatoes,” said Rebecca Williams, market director. “Our growers are really stretching the season with their greenhouses and hoop houses. We have tremendous variety at the Winter Farmers Market this season.

“Plus, we’re really excited to be able to offer the regional ‘Fresh Savings Program’ this year,” Williams said. The program doubles a shopper’s SNAP (food stamp) benefits, up to $20 for fruits and vegetables.

On opening day, customers can enter a free drawing for 20 Market Dollars. The drawing is at noon, and you can also enter at www.GrowOakRidge.org. [Read more…]

Downtown Hardware having Truckload Sale, Customer Appreciation Days

Posted at 11:27 am March 31, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Downtown Hardware has been serving the community for 62 years, and the store is having a Truckload Sale through April 8 and two Customer Appreciation Days on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, 2017.

Downtown Hardware has been serving the community for 62 years, and the store is having a Truckload Sale through April 8 and two Customer Appreciation Days on Friday and Saturday.

The Customer Appreciation Days areÂ Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1. Downtown HardwareÂ will have free hot dogs and drinks both days, and draw hourly for door prizes.

The Truckload Sale started March 30 and ends April 8. [Read more…]

Workshop on lawn, garden tool maintenance is Saturday

Posted at 4:33 am March 4, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A workshop on lawn and garden tool maintenance is being offered at the University of Tennessee Arboretum Auditorium in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

The workshop is sponsored by UT Arboretum Society and Downtown Hardware of Oak Ridge. It’s scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Roger Clary of Downtown Hardware and the store’sÂ Husqvarna representative, David Waugh, are working with the UT Arboretum Society to put on the workshop, organizers said.

Door prizes will be given away along with store coupons. The UT Arboretum Society will accept donations for its program.

“Last year’s workshop was a great success!” organizers said.

Downtown Hardware, ADFAC partner to collect weatherization items for struggling families

Posted at 9:38 am February 5, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Downtown-Hardware-60th-Anniversary-ADFAC-January-2015

Downtown Hardwareâ€™s co-owner Roger Clary, along with his wife, Sondra, present the ADFAC collection area. (Submitted photo)

Families in need of utility assistance often request help in obtaining weatherization materials to reduce home energy costs.

This year,Â ADFAC and Downtown Hardware have partnered to collect those materials to help families struggling with higher energy bills through the colder months.

Downtown HardwareÂ customers can help provideÂ items or donations to help the families stay warmer andÂ reduce utility bills. The hardware store is collecting donationsÂ purchased at a discountedÂ priceÂ by customers, providing receipts,Â paying all sales taxes, and delivering the materials to ADFAC.

“When clients are able to weatherize their homes, it is a helpful,Â proactive stepÂ to clients becoming more self-sufficient,” ADFAC said in its monthly newsletter. “We are very grateful to Downtown Hardware and their customers for their generosity and commitment to the community. Â If you would like to help with this effort, stop by Downtown Hardware at 298 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.” [Read more…]

Garden tool sharpening workshop with UT Arboretum Society, Downtown Hardware

Posted at 2:05 pm March 21, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A garden tool sharpening workshop will be offered by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society on Saturday, March 28, at the UT Arboretum shop in Oak Ridge.

The workshopÂ will be led by Roger Clary and Doc Ferguson of Downtown Hardware in Oak Ridge. It will focus on chainsaw, lawnmower, and garden hand tools. It’s scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m.Â at the UT Arboretum shop, which is 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Follow directional signs from the UT Arboretum up to the shop area, where parking will be provided for the event,” a press release said. [Read more…]

TVA sets all-time power demand record; stores sell out of heaters

Posted at 12:03 pm February 19, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Downtown Hardware crew is pictured above in November 2013. Co-owners Ann Clary Bratton and Roger Clary are pictured second from right and at left. (File photo)

The Tennessee Valley Authority set an all-time record for power demand in February on Thursday morning, and local stores have sold out of heaters.

TVA said the record set at 7 a.m. Thursday was 32,109 megawatts, with an average temperature of 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Downtown Hardware in Oak Ridge reported that they were down to two electric heaters.

“We’reÂ completely sold out of kerosene and propane,” said Ann Bratton, who co-owns the store with her brother Roger Clary. “That seems to be what people are asking for.” [Read more…]