Lopes & Filhos Lda

The biggest adjustment for me, a Californian who has been transplanted to the East Coast has been the humidity. That and understanding the Puerto Rican accent.
On the West Coast, I usually don’t change clothes midway through the day. Here I change a lot, because I sweat a lot. Even when it isn’t that hot outside.
What does this have to do with a hardware store in Newark’s Ironbound?
I needed a duplicate key for my new apartment, found this place on Unilocal and it was only two blocks from my place. I went there I dropped off my key to whom I presume was Manny, the proprietor. While the key was cut, I browsed around; they have basic hand tools, janitorial supplies, spackle, small hardware, barbecue stuff, basically what apartment dwellers need.
When the key was cut he said, «One fifty.»
I reached into my pocket and found… nothing. My cash was in my other pants, from before the change. He told me to pay next time, but for me, that wouldn’t do. I grabbed an extension cord to make the total worth the credit card transaction.
Good people, good service that you don’t often see anymore. Since they are only two blocks from my doorstep, I should come back more often.

Which hardware store in Newark doesn’t carry snow shovels, but has a full line of top-​notch machetes? Lopes & Fihos does. They also have a ton of brewing and winemaking supplies. It’s the softest hardware store I’ve seen.
But the owner is a nice guy and he will order anything you need. The prices are pretty good, too.