Business brisk at hardware store

Published by The Boston Globe

NEEDHAM — Other Needham storefronts were dark and empty, but Harvey’s Hardware at 1004 Great Plain Ave. was bustling with customers who trekked through the snow and wind to mitigate their snowstorm needs.

Gary Katz, the owner, said he arrived at Harvey’s at 2:45 a.m. yesterday to clear snow for a delivery truck. The store opened promptly at 7 a.m., the regular opening time, with a half-dozen employees ready for the day’s commerce.

“Hey, we’re a hardware store, right guys,’’ said Katz. Sure enough, customers soon materialized.



Walter Schmid, 62, came in to get new shear pins for his broken snow blower. He had put off the repair last year, and it took him an hour to clear his driveway with his neighbor’s snow blower so he could drive to Harvey’s to get his own one fixed.

“And I have a big driveway,’’ said Schmid, who lives on High Street in Newton Upper Falls.

John Faggiano, a 43-year-old Needham resident, was checking out the sleds hanging on the brick wall outside the store. He was planning to buy a few for his four children to bring them to the hill at Needham High School.

“They don’t know; I’m going to surprise them,’’ said Faggiano, with a huge grin. “I’m just thankful I have the day off so I can take them.’’