From Allison Acosta. Email her at allison[AT]borderstan.com.
Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Eleven years ago Gina Schaefer and her husband, Marc Friedman, had the somewhat unconventional idea to open a hardware store that would serve local customers doing home improvement projects.
The couple, then residents of Logan Circle (now living in Shaw), wanted to fix up their condo with locally purchased goods rather than have to drive across the city (or the suburbs) to get home repair supplies.
In March 2003, Gina and Mark opened Logan Hardware at 1416 P Street NW. Little did they know that their dream to open a local hardware store would start them on their way to a small empire of nine urban Ace hardware stores from DC to Baltimore.
Beginning this week, customers will be able to purchase items from the new Made in DC program which spotlights locally made merchandise.
Since opening Logan Hardware, their stores have employed more than 300 people, made 300,684 house keys, mixed more than 42,000 gallons of paint, and served more than one million customers. Logan Hardware’s most popular item: light bulbs.
On March 2, Logan Hardware hosted a 10th Anniversary celebration to show their appreciation for local residents with a 20 percent- off discount throughout the store and a raffle that benefited House of Ruth and Jubilee Jobs.
Made in DC Program
Beginning this week, customers will be able to purchase items from the new Made in DC program which spotlights locally made merchandise. The first products come from local crafter Tina Seamonster, who is offering up altered DC flag and cat, dog and bike magnets, DJ cat tote bags, zombie magnets and more.
Also new in the store: Look for spring flowers for your garden, a new line of nostalgic candy and sodas and an expanded pet section that includes Bully Sticks, Blackstone dog food, and more.
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