Sista Owned, Sista Loved

Words: Marly Pierre-Louis • Mar 15th, 2009 • Category: SPOTS.

Sista's Hardware has everything your DIY heart may desire!
Female-owned hardware store shows the community how to get handy

Opened in 2002, in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Sister’s Community may appear to be a hole in the wall on the outside but please believe the supplies and the employees are far from sub-par. On their website, the owner, Ms. Bakr let’s us know Sister’s Hardware is a “state-of-the-art merchandiser with a staff of seasoned professionals that have over 30 years of retail experience.”

The first time I went into Sister’s Hardware was last summer. Jessica was remodeling her apartment and I volunteered to be her handy, dandy assistant. It was rainy summer day so we dipped over there in our painting gear to get some supplies. We needed paint, brushes and rollers and some other stuff to help Jess achieve the “grown up” look she wanted for her place.

Hardware stores can be a frustrating experience for women, and not because we don’t know what we’re doing but because the

Paint colors galore!

men in there usually ASSUME we don’t. Lucky for us the brotha working inside was very helpful and didn’t attempt to take advantage of us or assume we didn’t know what we wanted or what we were talking about. Refreshing. He patiently answered all our questions with a smile and after we guffawed at the final total of everything we needed, he graciously gave us a discount!

I’ve been going to Sister’s ever since for all my household hardware needs and they always have what I’m looking for. The vibe is always warm and the employees are genuinely knowledgeable and kind. Definitely beats going to an enormous, chain hardware store, which usually feels cold and overwhelming.

A local, Black female owned hardware store in Clinton Hill? Doesn’t get anymore progressive than that!

Sister’s Community Hardware Store, LLC

909 Fulton Street

Brooklyn NY

718.399.7023

Open 7 days a week

Get There: C to Clinton/Washington; B26, B25

Tagged as: Brooklyn, hardware, women

Marly Pierre-Louis is a passionate promoter for social justice and equality worldwide. Weaned in Brooklyn, raised in Boston and now residing in Philadelphia, it’s no wonder Marly considers herself a vagabond. The funky fresh budget socialite spends most of her days beating the streets of Illadel. A passion for words, beats and laughter is why she joined the collective.
Email this author | See all Square Rootz writing by Marly Pierre-Louis

5 Responses »

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Jamie Holts on March 15th, 2009 at 12:00 pm:
I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.
Jessica Jones on March 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am:
LOVE this place. And best part is you can get a key made for a dollar! They even give you the first copy free (or something like that). Good write up Marly!
Alison on March 16th, 2009 at 1:42 pm:
I been trying to learn about construction and other “mens” stuff for years now. There’s this program http://www.new-nyc.org/ i’ve been trying to get involved with too. Whenever i’m in bklyn i will definitely check her store out.
Michael J. on March 16th, 2009 at 5:19 pm:
Your article is on the money. This is the only place I go to for most of my hardware needs. The staff is top-notch, they have excellent inventory & the location is superb, being so close to the A/C trains & local buses. I’ve been recommending them for years to many of my friends in Brooklyn.
Carolyn on April 13th, 2009 at 10:26 am:
Everything I need is in walking distance - at this hardware store. Everyone is always very helpful and knows the product. There is no pressure - and everything is quality. I don’t like junk. Glad it’s in the neighborhood. When I paint again I can go right there for the low VOC paint.

I always prefer locally owned businesses.