Hardware Center Opens In Maspeth

Store owner Robert Love (at center) seen in front of his new hardware shop in Maspeth alongside employees Raymond Brito (at left) and his son Bernard (at right). Although it’s only been three weeks since its grand opening in Maspeth, Kramer’s Paint and Hardware is already shaping up to be the type of friendly neighborhood tool shop that local residents are clamoring for.

Unlike many of the big chain retailers, store owner Robert Love promises to give customers one-onone service in hopes of providing people with the appropriate supplies to suit their needs.

“I love interacting with people. I love sales,” said the Fresh Meadows native, who recently decided to relocate the 90-year-old hardware center from midtown Manhattan to 59-24 Grand Avenue.

“I want people to relate to me. If we don’t have it, I’ll order it for you.”

In that vein, Love spoke of how he assisted one customer in finding the right plumbing part he was missing, which spared him the expense of buying a new sink.

In the tradition of his wife’s father in-law, Sam, who first opened Kramer’s three generations ago, Love offers a complete line of snow melt, locks, shovels, screws, light bulbs and general hardware that local oneand two-family homeowners are regularly in need of.

The father of two further highlighted his wide array of paints, along with the fact that Kramer’s was once known for its painting services in photography studios.

When asked about some of the differences between running a family operated shop in Maspeth and operating one under the bright lights of Manhattan, Love replied that “people are people” and that he intends on managing his store in the same way he has over the past 29 years.

Helping Love get established in his new digs are longtime employee Raymond Brito and his son Bernard.

Said Love about his new surroundings: “I came to Maspeth to bring my expertise to the community. I love the mix of commercial and residential here—it’s the perfect area.”