
Meadowbrook Hardware
For 53 years, Meadowbrook Hardware kept Charlottesville do-it-yourselfers in nuts and bolts. Originally located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center at the intersection of Emmett Street and Barracks Road, the store was founded by Ronnie Kite, an entrepreneur with no degrees and no experience in hardware. He did business the old-fashioned way and he did it well.
It’s said that on one occasion a new customer made a purchase and the clerk said he’s put it on his account.
“I don’t have an account,” the customer said.
“You do now,” said the clerk, opening up his account book.
Meadowbrook wasn’t a large store, but it seemed like whatever you needed, they had it, along with great advice. The store was located across the road when I worked for Leggett’s Barracks Road, and it was most convenient. I shopped there often.
Meadowbrook Shopping Center was built in1954 by Harry Wheeler, a local real estate developer. The center included stores like Anderson Carriage Food House, Cooke’s Laundromat, Meadowbrook Washette, Pace Painting, Spring Street, The Tavern and Meadowbrook Hardware. Meadowbrook Hardware was a dinosaur in the land before 200,000 square foot monsters like Lowe’s and Home Depot. It was built on a foundation of a family atmosphere and great service, and they don’t make them like that anymore.