WORDS + IMAGES
The Hardware Store
Page 2
Heights Hardware
Coventry Neighborhood
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Tucked in the trendy Cleveland Heights neighborhood of Coventry are two not so trendy – in a good way – establishments. There is Heights Hardware, established in 1911 and Mac’s Books, on Coventry Rd. since 1982. Tommy’s Restaurant is another longtime Coventry Rd. establishment, 1972. However, over the years Tommy’s has become less iconic, at least in ambiance. The food is still great. The original Milkshake is still featured on the menu. As this page is about hardware stores, only Height Hardware appears here. The story of Mac's Books and Tommy's can be found on another page.
Heights Hardware
Coventry Neighborhood | Cleveland Heights, OH
I walk into the Heights Hardware for the first time—I am overwhelmed by all the wood. Wood shelves, oak cabinets. I look up, see the pressed-tin ceiling. Rolling ladders. I Look around—no kitschy gift items. This is a hardware store!
Heights Hardware is the oldest business and the last remaining hardware store in Cleveland Heights, OH. And over the years, it has lost none of the old-time hardware store feel.
Founded by Alfred, Arthur and Sidney Weiskopf as the Weiskoph Brothers Hardware and Plumbing Store in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. Glenville (1040 E. 105th St.) at the time was the heart of Cleveland’s Jewish community. Realizing that many Jews were moving to Cleveland Heights, the brothers opened a second location, Weiskopf Bros. Heights Hardware, in 1922. Three years later they sold their Glenville store, planning on serving contractors during the “east side” suburban population boom of the 1920s.
The original store remained open under a succession of owners until the late 70s. During that time, in 1935 it was bombed, caught fire in 1958, and robbed at gunpoint by several teens in 1967.
In the meantime, back at the Heights store, in 1949, Oscar Elton, the don of Hungarian immigrants purchased the hardware store from the Weiskophs, thus beginning a family connection that lasts until today. In 1969 Elton sold the business to his second cousin, Tom Gathy. Elton continued to work at the store for another forty or so years, well into nineties.
Tom Gathy had fled Hungry during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Six years later, arriving in Cleveland. With the help of Elton, Gathy entered the construction trade. In 1979 he purchased the hardware, the store where he did most of his trade for construction business. Son, Andy Gathy now operates the business. Shortly after the elder Gathy purchased the business, Heights Hardware affiliated with Ace Hardware.
Andy Gathy
Heights Hardware | Coventry Neighborhood | Cleveland Heights, OH
Clerk
Heights Hardware | Coventry Neighborhood | Cleveland Heights, OH
The clerk, (I never got her name) when she found out I liked old hardware stores led me on a tour to the "really old part"—shelves and self sliding doors dating back to 1922, when the hardware opened in Coventry.
Building Wall Sign
Heights Hardware | Coventry Neighborhood | Cleveland Heights, OH
If you ever happen to be in Coventry, look up and look for the old painted on the brick wall, Heights Hardware sign. And then, head on over.
As I wrote the story of Heights Hardware I was reminded of how many of those businesses that we have to depend upon were started by immigrants. The story continues with many of today's immigrants.
September 2, 2023
Hill Hardware
Burton, Ohio
Once in a while, my wife and I end up in Burton. Sitting on the southeast corner of Main and Kirtland, just across from Burton’s historic Town Square an old fashion, neighborhood hardware store beckons. Believe me, the lure is irresistible.
Hill Hardware has been sitting on that corner for over seventy years. Founded in 1950, it has never ceased to served the folk of this rural Northeast Ohio community. The floors creak, It smells like an old hardware store--a nostalgic smell. Brings back memories of when I was a kid exploring our old neighborhood hardware.
But that’s the only memory, that Hill’s Hardware stirs up.
When I was a kid, my dad and I purchased a miniature steam engine kit for me to make. I believe it was for a Cub Scout project. And miniature steam engines, Hill Hardware has. Maybe not kits, but they still bring back those memories. Jensen miniature steam engines and carbide canons, right there among the pipes, wires and nails.
(I need to start saving my pennies for one of those Jensen steam engines. They’d fit into The Village of Make Believe quite well.)
Admittedly, most people don’t go into hardware stores to buy a miniature steam engine or carbide canon. And for those of you don’t, when Hill Hardware claims, “We have (just about) everything,” they’re not kidding. The aisles crammed full of stuff – just like all real hardware stores do – stuff that you need, and stuff to buy, just because you might need it someday. And if you own a century home and need a hard-to-find piece, you can more than likely find that too.
If you are out and about and live in Northeast Ohio, or Northwest Pennsylvania, Hill Hardware is worth a road trip.
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