At C&D Hardware, customers are No. 1

C&D Hardware and Gifts employees David, Arthur, Rob, Duane, Tina and Judy show off the store's Traeger grills collection.

C&D Hardware and Gifts is more than just power tools and plumbing supplies.

Knowledgeable customer service associates who lend helpful advice truly set this shop apart from national chains. It's the type of place where regulars are known by name, and employees go above and beyond to special-order unique items for customers.

It's more than just its wares that make this Heights store a hit in the neighborhood: it's the fact that no one ever has to reminisce about "back when customer service was good." It's still happening at C&D.

ADDRESS: 314 E. 11th St., Houston, Texas 77008
HOURS: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
PHONE: 713-861-3551
WEBSITE: canddhardware.com
WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Striking a balance between the extensive stock at a big-box store and the friendly customer service of a true neighborhood mom-and-pop shop can be a real challenge, but C&D Hardware and Gifts brings the best of both worlds to its customers. Inside, customers will find aisle after aisle of reasonably-priced home goods and hardware, along with employees who are truly invested in their customers' interests. The staff believes in building personal relationships with customers.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "During Hurricane Ike, like most businesses, we were out of power for two weeks. We stayed open and ran the store on generators to provide our customers a way to get what they needed. We brought in special trucks to keep the store stocked and were able to get everyone back on their feet quicker." — Rob Stratton, co-owner