I hear ya. I love the small Mom and Pop hardware stores or as I said Ace Hardware.
I flat out refuse to use Home Depot.
I'll definitely use Lowes....
But, my 100% Go To Ace Hardware.
Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware to be exact.
Established 1955...Love the older gents that work the floor, they have explained to me more times than I can count how to move forward with a project.