After 123 years of continuous business the Swartz family has announced that they have sold Swartz Hardware in Nonantum. The Swartz family’s long and storied history, starting with their grandfather opening the store in 1890, is now coming to an end. Many thanks go to the three generation of Swartz’s that sold everything from seeds, to toys, to fireworks at Swartz Hardware over the years.
Come November 16, new owners will be taking over. No details yet about what, if any, changes are planned.
Wow. End of an era indeed. Hope there are few changes (though I wouldn’t argue against opening on Sundays).
Have done my best through the years to go here instead of the big box stores.
Amazing they’ve been able to stay alive as long as they have.
My understanding is that their paint business is what sustained them. N/ot sure how that has shaken out against the big box guys. I guess pricing is the villain.
I’m with Doug. I ALWAYS go here first. And it’s often the last place I have to go since they always seemed to have what I need.
If the new owners can keep the same attentive, friendly service, then the old team and their history will be well served.
I hope that equals profitability, but yes, I agree.
I have always called first to make sure they have whatever it is I need. If they don’t have it, they always suggest somewhere else that I might find it. If they do have it, they make sure before I leave the store that I know how to use it.
Swartz is also a member of the Green Decade Coalition discount program. I hope the new owners continue to support Green Decade as well as superb customer service.
This is sad news. I live on the other side of town, but I go there for just about all of my hardware needs. The place has great people and great vibes and you just sense that all the employees thoroughly enjoy their work. Hardly a week passes without something old and magical like Swartz’s biting the dust.
I also love this place. It’s amazing how anything I really need I can usually find there, even though it’s a fraction of the size of Home Depot. And it’s a lot easier to get to. And I can stop by Antoine’s bakery while I’m in the area.
This post reminded me I needed some light bulbs, so I went while doing other errands – at 5:30. Forgot they close at 5 on weekdays, so I had to go to Home Depot or face showering in the dark. I sincerely hope new ownership extends hours so working people can get there and shop.
National Lumber is open until at least six. Also a locally operated business.
Ah true- I have been there on occasion- but was in Newtonville/Newton Corner, not Highlands/Upper Falls (wait, what Village is that in again?). Good reminder though.
123 years of taking stuff out to the sidewalk and bringing it in again at the end of the day. It took that long to get tired of the routine?
Let’s not forget the Waban Hardware option for supporting local ownership businesses.
@Patrick: True that.
Swartz Hardware and the Biltmore Cafe have something in common: Each has a no-longer-used bowling alley in its basement. How many other Newton buildings have that? When will these be refurbished and brought back in style?
I’ve seen the bowling alley at Swartz. Pretty cool. (Though I like bowling too)
The building on the west side of Bacon Street near Washington Street in Newton Corner had multiple bowling alleys in its basement back in the 60’s. The building had been renovated. I do not know if the alleys survived the updating efforts.
The private club on Berkeley Street near Chestnut Street in West Newton has a pair of alleys for its members.
It’s beginning to sound like it’s time to organize the Balls & Pins of Newton tour.
I’ve been to the village club on Berkley St. Very nice. Not sure about the Newton Corner building. Is that the one currently housing the dry cleaner and Max & Leo’s pizza? I can probably ask next time I’m by.
I believe the Turtle Lane building also has (long unused) bowling lanes in the basement.
Newton Corner Bowl was under what is now the Gilmartin, Magence & Ross law firm at 300 Washington St. It was across Bacon St. from the Paramount Theater. My son’s 9th birthday party: The Muppet Movie, then bowling.
The Windsor Club in Waban has a four lane alley recently refurbrished by none other than our very own Terry Malloy and friends. The place is terrific and I have authority to open it up and host one stop on the Balls and Pins of Newton Tour. Terry would like to host too but he will be coming disguised as a bald man, as he wishes to remain anonymous. Jerry, pick a date!
Woah. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didn’t think people outside of Waban were supposed to know that the Windsor Club had a basement.
Get your rsvp’s in early! Denizens of Village 14 will need a visa to get through border security.
Regarding bowling hair styles:
As a safety measure (to avoid entanglement with vintage Bowlmor pin-setting machines), all participants should shave or closely trim their hair.
That should keep Reibman away!
Only a few hours to arrange the first stop. I think this Balls & Pins of Newton event is a keeper. Now let’s deputize all you other folks who mentioned other hidden bowling alleys. See if you can talk to the proprietors and get us in. Even if an alley is not currently operational, we still want it as part of the tour.
I think the ball is already rolling down the alley on this one – thanks to Terry for restoring Waban’s bowling spendour and thanks to Steve for tipping us off about it. I’m not sure Terry would have opened the Waban doors to this riff-raff otherwise.
Jerry, all jokes relating bowling balls to bald heads welcome.
Balls & Pins of Newton: I love it! I’ll have you all know I was an excellent bowler in high school. Of course in upstate New York, we used real balls and real pins. Do we have any of those kinds of bowling alleys in Newton?
I don’t know how any of those businesses in Nonantum are still open except D&A Pizza. I love Steamers and I’m shocked he gets enough business to stay open.
That guy at Waban Hardware is so great. I wish he could supply all my hardware needs.
I love a bowling tourney at the Windsor Club because I don’t have to drive.
Kim- The Antique Store in Nonantum has a faithful following and Antoine’s is frequently packed. Steamers is outstanding – our favorite fish market. Then there’s DD’s and West St. Grill. In fact, Nonantum is my favorite out of the way village.
However, I will really miss Schwartz Hardware. It was a great place for those of us who know next to nothing about household maintenance needs- very helpful and accommodating.
I’m in for the bowling tour (am also a very good tenpin bowler, less so at candlepin). I can meet the hair requirement for Waban Border Patrol, as I am only a dirty hippie on the inside (where it counts).
Antoine’s is indeed frequently busy. Steamer’s is more than retail (I believe) – you can do big orders there if you call ahead. Dominic is great.
I didn’t read this as Swartz going away, just changing hands.
Believe it or not, the historic Allen House on Webster Street in West Newton has a single bowling alley! It was used for phys ed in the late 1800’s, when the house was a school. The Newton Culutral Alliance is hard at work restoring this wonderful property so that the community can once again enjoy and learn from its rich history.
@Doug. I hope you are right. I’d miss Marshall, the singing paint guy.
Yeah, I hope the workers remain as well. Marshall is a local legend
I do like “Balls & Pins of Newton” but I’m beginning to lean towards the more dramatic – “Back Alleys of Newton”
I second Kim regarding the Waban Hardware. You can set your style standards by Al, the proprietor. From Memorial Day to Labor day he wears shorts with knee socks. Not one day before Memorial nor after Labor. And his store seems to have one of everything. Just one. But it’s the one you need.
Newton’s hardware stores at way too organized. The old stores that stack boxes of dissimilar things on top of each other and the owner has to pull things out to get to what you want three boxes back (usually standing on a ladder) are the gems. There’s no telling what decade the item was priced from.
Just left Mike’s retirement party at Swartz Hardware. Not to worry, the new owner plans to keep things pretty much as we’ve known them. She owns two other TrueValue stores, so knows both the business and their place as a neighborhood resource.
That’s great to hear (though would be curious about her thoughts on Sunday and weekday evening hours).
@Doug The new owner was not there yesterday. I understand that it will be hers effective Friday.
Back Alleys of Newton is coming together. Steve Siegel can get us in to the newly refurnished 4 lanes at the Winsor Club in Waban. Kara Robbins is arranging for us to get into this way cool ancient single lane in the Abbot House in West Newton.
We still need help getting access to the lanes in Newton Corner (300 Washington St and Bacln), Swartz’s Hardware, Turtle Lane, private club on Berkley St in West Newton and any other undiscovered bowling alleys (functional or not) in Newton. Send all leads to [email protected]
Jerry, I was the first to mention the Newton Corner and Berkeley Street lanes. The Newton Corner alleys were public so I went there as a kid. I was not officially “invited” to the private club. So I have no connections at either place. Hopefully, Max and Doug respectively can provide connections.
I can’t tell you how cool this is! I used to bowl at Riverside and have lived here my whole life and never knew about all these hidden, literally underground bowling lanes. So great!
There’s a logical reason for hidden bowling, see here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-carr/the-secret-bowling-alley_b_376623.html
Great story Hoss!