Molbegott True Value Hardware Store has been serving Richmond Hill since 1926. Herman and Lena Molbegott originally owned the hardware store at 109-20 Liberty Avenue before it was passed down to their son Martin 58 years ago.
The store sells paints, hardware, house wares, plumbing, electrical, lawn and garden supplies and seasonal merchandise. They repair windows and cuts pipes, usually within a day, and there is also a licensed locksmith on staff to make keys and install locks.
According to Molbegott, the difference between a family-owned and operated hardware store like his and the bigger chain hardware stores is, “we know things backwards and forwards. We’ve been doing this all our lives.”
He said that in places like Lowe’s or Home Depot, the employees may be inexperienced with certain jobs and work solely off commission, so they’ll just point you down an aisle and urge you to buy something. In Molbegott Hardware, customers know they’ll get expert advice on what they need for their home improvement projects with products at a reasonable price.
“Home Depot actually refers customers to us every week. A good portion of people will go there looking for something, see they don’t have it, then come to us,” said Martin Molbegott.
Customers know they get expert advice and insight that comes with the personal touch of the knowledgeable staff at Molbegott. The trained professionals know the area well and get to know their customers. They customize paint to their customers’ satisfaction, but won’t recommend products that they know will not hold up. When you shop, you not only need to know what to buy, but just as importantly how to use it. This is the Molbegott difference and it quickly becomes apparent to anyone who shops there.
“People come back to you automatically when they see your advice really works. We have very good service, any customer will tell you that,” Molbegott said.
Molbegott is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 718-843-4460. – Catherine M. Lozada
