Nichols Hardware in Purcellville is a trip back in time. With its uneven wooden floors, tin ceilings and overflowing shelves, this western Loudoun County icon embodies a period of American history when personal service and word-of-mouth advertising were the keys to retail success.
In many ways, Nichols doesn't look much different from the store that was founded in 1914. To the casual eye, the store may resemble a flea market hodgepodge, similar items gathered together, but with no real rhyme or reason. Every bit of space is used-even the ceiling from which dangles a tricycle and canoe on sturdy chains. Nichols Hardware opened its doors as the E.E. Nichols & Company in 1914. After the death of Ed Nichols and his son Ted Nichols, the store is now run by Ed's brother Ken Nichols. To get a better idea of the store, watch a short video about the store.
A historic hardware store in Purcellville, Va., is at the center of a community controversy over allegations that one of its employees used an anti-gay slur after refusing to help a Boy Scout asking for donations for a service project.
The alleged incident happened Friday afternoon at Nichols Hardware, a family-owned store that was founded more than 100 years ago and is a “trip back in time,†according to a Loudoun County history organization.
After the boy and his father were turned away, Carlyn Hamilton, who was finishing up her purchase, said the employee turned to her and said, “You know they let homos in, right?†He was referring to the Boy Scouts.
“And he said, ‘We do not support homos around here, I can tell you that,’ †Hamilton said Sunday.
Hamilton said she was waiting for her receipt when the bell at the door chimed, and the teen entered the store with his father.
“I noticed how handsome he looked,†she said. “Well-pressed Boy Scout uniform. He looked very proud, and maybe a little nervous.â€
He asked the three men behind the counter for help with his project. Immediately, one of them told him, “ ‘Absolutely not,’ †Hamilton said. “ ‘There is no such thing as the Boy Scouts anymore.’ â€
The boy froze, she said, uncertain.
“And he was like: ‘Did you hear me? We don’t support your organization. You allow in gays.’ â€
The employee pointed at the door, she said, and the boy lowered his head. “Thank you for your time,†the boy said.
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Ah yep, that's the Loudoun County I've knowing for many years. Prince William and Faquier aren't much better sometimes.
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Mornin'..
Apparently everyone in the office is sick, except for me and office dog.
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Ah yep, that's the Loudoun County I've knowing for many years. Prince William and Faquier aren't much better sometimes.
Yeah, I wanna say I am surprised, but I was just more sad and sick about it.
I didn't say anything to the guy in the store because he seemed like he was tweeking.
And he prolly had a gun -- but mostly the owner of the store was going out of business and seemed nice. I didn't want to make an ussiue for him as he didn't hear what was said.
I think he was tryng to see if Bob would react positively so he could use the N word.
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Ahhh right.. we've got one fresh SCOTUS decision today - Epic Systems v. Lewis, a case focusing on employer-mandated arbitration contracts with employees. As you can imagine from this court's conservative slant, this ended up being a 5-4 decision in favor of the employer.
Quote by Raine:
I forgot to add this to the post:
good morning.
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I forgot to add this to the post:
good morning.
Just reading the blog now - I was coming to add that the Scout almost certainly said, "I'm sorry to hear that sir. Thank you for your time."
I'm hoping he found another business that truly understands the spirit of the Oath and Law that would be willing to help his project.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray are expected to meet with President Trump this afternoon to discuss the latest issues surrounding the confidential source, a source familiar with the plans tells @LauraAJarrett
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 21, 2018
Quote by Scoopster:
Hoooooo boy get ready for it. DNI Coates is also supposed to attend.Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray are expected to meet with President Trump this afternoon to discuss the latest issues surrounding the confidential source, a source familiar with the plans tells @LauraAJarrett
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 21, 2018
Quote by Mondobubba:
Also, too, hello all. I finally got the April 2018 Windows update. That was fun. It took about 45 minutes. I have a job interview tomorrow afternoon and the company where a friend of mine works finally contacted me for not one but two jobs. So, things might be coming together.