TACOMA, Wash. — At McLendon Hardware in Tacoma, they don't just have what you're looking for — they actually have people who will help you find it.
"Customers come in here because they know they'll find knowledgeable folks that will go out of their way and take the extra time to help them solve their problem," said store manager Lee Wyatt.
Founded in the 1930's by Moses Jones "Pops" McLendon, all seven stores emphasize customer service. They can be found in Tacoma, Seattle, Renton, Woodinville, White Center, Puyallup and Kent.
There's an entire department in the back of the Tacoma store where you can get knives sharpened, keys cut and screen doors repaired. The holiday season brings customers in from miles away and the lawn and garden department is extremely popular among avid gardeners.
Sure there are bigger box stores that will sell many of the same things, but at McLendon the personal touch goes a long way. Only family members were hired until the 1950's. Now the company tries to make employees feel like family.
"I know a lot of people probably talk about it, but it's a really a true family type atmosphere," Wyatt said. "We all look out for each other. We have great leadership within our company that takes care of us. It's a great place to work.
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