Ankeny Hardware

Was hot as can be in my Gresham apartment during the end of July heat wave. Tried Home Depot for an air conditoner but they were out. They told me to go to Ankeny Hardware in S.E. Portland. I remembered them from a previous time I needed something, so I headed down there.\r \r There was a line all the way outside the store and around the corner - had to be over 100 people waiting.\r After about two hours finally made it in the store and then it was another hour wait to get to the customer service counter. Was a fun wait however. The guy behind the counter (may have been the owner) was joking with customers, handing out candy to little kids and water and soda to evryone else. Even was giving out free bottles of beer so the hour wait went fast.\r \r Anyway, got a large portable air cond for around $4 bills. Wouldn't work when I got home. Called Ankeny Hardware back and the guy who sold it walked me through the installation. Turned out I had put the hose on wrong. Cooled my room down in about 24 hours and I'm lovin it.\r \r Didn't like the long wait, but it sure was worth it. I've used it every day until the cool weather today. Sure glad they had air conditioners when everybody else in town was out. Pros: Had air conditioners when everyone else in the city was out Cons: Was a very long line to buy one more

I needed a special plier made by Channellock (great tools and still made in the USA). I tried Home Depot and they didn't know what I wanted. A neighbor told me to try Ankeny Hardware so I did. They not only had the Channellock piece I needed, but had a huge wall of Channellock tools. When I said I'd never seen so much Channellock, the guy helping me said I should follow him to the storage area behind their counter. There was shelf after shelf of Channellock. He told me they stock over 1,500 Channellock items.\r \r Beware, this place is crammed with stuff so its not for the claustrophobic. Also they don't use a computer but instead have this funky inventory card system. Service can be a little slow, but they spent a lot of time helping me. Pros: Can't believe they have so much stuff to sell in a small place Cons: Service can be a little slow, but they were very helpful. more