According to a sports survey taken in the late 1960's, fans chose professional football as their "favorite' sport. Leagues at that time spent $7 million to sign their draft choices. Also, in that decade, Gloucester City residents chose Carr's Hardware as their favorite store for purchasing necessities at a decent price to keep their "favorite" place –HOME- in good repair.
Frank Carr, Sr. and family, who lived on Hudson Street, opened Carr's Hardware in 1966. The store was located at that time on Monmouth Street. Frank, Sr. met his wife to be at the Hampton House, a dance hall in Oaklyn, married Jean and had three children. Son, Frank Carr III, daughters, Kathy and Sue along with their mother all continue to serve their customers in a friendly manner. The store moved to 22 Monmouth Street in 1974.
Photo: Frank Carr III stocking store shelves
Dave Neunheuser, who lives in Gloucester City, also serves the customers in the store. "I enjoy helping the customers and we have the biggest assortment of nuts and bolts," he said. (I assume he was not talking about the customers.) A part-time employee, Tom, is also part of the team.
"Carr's is the only surviving hardware store in Gloucester City," said Frank. "My grandfather did not like to compete against other shop owners and always said he felt sorry for being a competitor against Mrs. Garwood, another hardware store owner from the past," he said. The store still stocks mason jars, toboggans, beach chairs, fishing equipment and many hard to find items usually not found in the bigger stores. A real service is provided to the many contractors in the area who can run in, be helped to the item they need and get right back to their work. The merchandise is right in everyone's view. A steady stream of customers came into the store, easily found and purchased what they needed. One woman wanted to know if the store had "thin mirror glass". Frank immediately answered "yes" and showed her what was in stock. A contractor came in looking for "wall mollys" and was directed to the assortment immediately. Frank Bonk, a smiling happy person, who said he is a "premium life member of VFW #3620 on Burlington Street" enjoyed talking with Jean and even posed for a picture as he was making his purchase Many of the customers enjoyed a happy banter with the store owners. "We are a store that provides convenience to our customers. All items are easily selected from the shelves and are easy to view to make the selection," Frank said. All the employees offer their advice when requested. You can bring your screens and window glass to be repaired or replaced, have new keys made, select from a large assortment of garden and patriotic flags and find seasonal items. In the summer, pool and garden supplies are in stock and for the cold season, ice melt, shovels, holiday trimmings, fuses for holiday lights and ladders to put the lights up, can all be purchased in the store. An ad for Gorilla Super Glue sits on the counter and along with Gorilla tape is one of the favorite items to buy, according to Jean Carr. Involvement with the community is very important to the Carr's. They support local youth organizations, purchased signage for their store that is on display at the Little League field. "We are fans of the Mustang football team, girls' softball, and all of the teams," Frank said. "If you can't find it here, you won't find it anywhere. We have a deep sense of pride for being here so long and for serving the residents," Frank said. The Carr's intend to slowly remodel the store. Painting and a new sign are some of the goals. "We are staying in Gloucester City and hope to see a thriving community once again," Mom and Son said. Carr's Hardware is open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 6pm and from 9am to 4 pm on Sunday, participate in the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program and have a reduced sales tax of 3 1/2 percent So, get your favorite easy chair repaired with supplies from Carr's and sit back and enjoy the Super Bowl game.
According to a sports survey taken in the late 1960's, fans chose professional football as their "favorite' sport. Leagues at that time spent $7 million to sign their draft choices. Also, in that decade, Gloucester City residents chose Carr's Hardware as their favorite store for purchasing necessities at a decent price to keep their "favorite" place –HOME- in good repair.
Frank Carr, Sr. and family, who lived on Hudson Street, opened Carr's Hardware in 1966. The store was located at that time on Monmouth Street. Frank, Sr. met his wife to be at the Hampton House, a dance hall in Oaklyn, married Jean and had three children. Son, Frank Carr III, daughters, Kathy and Sue along with their mother all continue to serve their customers in a friendly manner. The store moved to 22 Monmouth Street in 1974.