Propane Tank Safety for Worry Free Grilling

May 2012

As warmer weather approaches it is time to set up the deck and check out the grill.  More importantly, be sure to review the condition of your propane tank as well as its date of manufacture.

For safety, always keep propane tanks in an upright position and they should not be transported or stored in an enclosed area.  Damaged tanks and expired tanks can not be refilled

Look them over for any dents, gouges corrosion, rust or bulges.  Propane tanks only have a useful life of twelve years before they need to be replaced.  Be sure to check the manufactured date located on the collar of the tank.  Any tanks that were made prior to this current month in 2000 can no longer be filled.

Respecting the properties and dangers of propane fuel will lead to the safe use and handling of it.  Enjoy the summer but play it safe when transporting and cooking with propane.

Buttermilk Paint Arrives in New London

April 2012

ov_counry_living_adWe have expanded our paint offerings to include the buttermilk paint reproduction colours from Old Village Paint Company.  These clearly demonstrate the ingenuity of Early American painters and stainers.  It is well documented that buttermilk and other milk products were used for the decoration of furniture and housing of old.  The traveling painter turned to an old country custom of using farm products. earth colors and brick dust to make their paint colours.  Old Village has reproduced these products using modern raw materials.  They have kept the spirit of the Colonial American Craftsman in producing these paints with which to achieve the lovely effects and colours of Pre-Revolution America.  Buttermilk paint may be used on interiors of homes and drys to a beautiful matte finish which does not destroy the texture of the wood.  Multiple coats will build a longer lasting and a more opaque film.     Stop by soon to discuss this fabulous product with Kevin.  He is sure to help with your home decor project.

Aura Paint….Simply the finest paint

March 2012

Aura Interior Paint delivers truer, richer colors & performance without compromise.  It is available in a variety of colorful hues and features special technology that keeps these colors permanently locked in with superior hiding qualities, easy application and drying capabilities.  Stop by today and talk with Kevin about all of Aura’s wonderful advantages.  It is quite simply the finest paint Benjamin Moore has ever made.

Colonial Classic Dinner Candles

February 2012

Colonial Candle

The gold standard for fine candles for over 100 years, The Colonial classic taper candles are made with exceptional molded detail from the highest quality creamy wax.  They are true to their color from the outer layer all the way through to their center core.  The taper design insures a smooth, clean-burning, virtually drip-less candle that burns slowly and evenly for approximately 7 hours.  Available in single quantities or mix-n-match 12 for a savings of 15% .   Quality does always outshine bargains.  Let Jen show you all the colors and lengths available next time you’re here.  Colonial Candles of Cape Cod for every occasion and last the measurement of time.

Independent & Local Businesses Strengthen Our Community Fabric

October 2011

The whole is only as strong & complete as its supporting parts.  A smooth running machine only operates well when all its components are maintained and serviced.  A community will only continue to prosper as long as all of  its fabric is constantly strengthened.  The three elements are the identification, action & result of a community supported commerce.  By just thinking about the businesses in our town that we are fortunate to have is time well spent for everyone.

3 is just a starting point.  It can be three or even thirty three community businesses that we each can identify that would be  true losses if they were not able to remain in operation.  Not only would we lose the ability to quickly run uptown to buy that one item we need but we would also lose their financial support to our special interest groups.  Ever asked for support to a golf tournament and been turned down by any community business?   Think about that little extra effort that was done the last time we needed a little extra help;  staying open a little later so we can pick up that one item to finish the project or get to the social gathering with the clean suit.  How about the knowledge of the staff  who has first hand experience with the item or has read the book you are looking for?  How about the time they let you borrow the item instead of buying it for that quick fix or really listened to you when you felt the price of an item was out of line, or when the purchased item failed and they took it back with no questions asked?  More importantly is the fact that we can talk with the owner of the business almost any time and they will say ‘Thank you, we appreciate your business’. These are just a few threads of our community fabric which makes our town so special.  I am sure you can think of your own experiences that bring a smile to your face.

50 dollars, 200 quarters, 500 dimes, 1000 nickels or 5000 pennies sure is not a lot when compared to the big picture of our financial month.  By just spending $50 a month in our local community we are investing in the future of our town.  Buying an extra coffee, filling up our car’s gas tank or being sure our medical prescriptions are filled in town assures us that these businesses will be around for another day.  It is just like that penny jar we all have on our bureau that we add the pocket change to every day.  Over time those little increments add up to a huge contribution.  By investing in our community’s businesses we are investing in ourselves and our town’s fabric is staying strong.

68 may just seem like a number but in this example it is the amount from 100 that is returned directly and indirectly to our community.  Through taxes, payroll and other expenditures of our businesses $68 of each $100 purchase stays here.  In addition to this, think about the fact the bank deposits of independently, locally owned businesses are kept in the local banking system so they can use the money for mortgages, personal loans & local investing.  Now think amount the money trail of a national chain: their nightly deposits are sent right away to the corporate office, where ever that might be, but most likely not in the town where the store operates.  So nothing is left behind for the banker to use in our community.  Pretty grim tale.  Buying online ?….enough said.

1 is the number of persons needed to keep the momentum of this concept going.  Community Strength involves all of us;  Consumers, fellow Businesses, Institutions and Municipalities are all in this together.  So next time we are writing a product requisition or looking for a little help think about our town’s quilt.   By supporting our independently owned business our community’s  fabric will remain and continue to be strong & healthy.

Pick 3.  Spend 50.  Support our local economy.  Join the project today.

Want to learn more???    www.the350project.net        Tell them New London sent you

Our New Website Tag

February 2011

Here is our new website TAG from Microsoft.  Now you can check in with us anytime from any where that you have your smart phone. Get the free mobile app at http://gettag.mobi. So very cool.

Happy Holidays

December 2010

Christmas Card

All of us at Clarke’s Hardware wish you a joyous holiday season and a

heartfelt thank you for allowing us to fullfill your hardware needs.

Conducting business in the New London area is truly a privilege. It is

where “community” continues to have real meaning. It is where

customers are friends and neighbors. It is where support and ongoing

encouragement extended to our staff is always appreciated. It is why we

are committed to providing outstanding products, service and advice.

Therefore, the upcoming holiday season turns our grateful thoughts to

you, who have made our progress possible. In this spirit we sincerely say:

Thank You and Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!

150 New London Nutcracker Soldiers are in Town.

December 2010

Be on the look out for the 150 nutcracker soldiers in New London for the month of December.  They are stationed along the Newport Road & Main Street area bringing the holiday cheer and good will to all.  Many local & very creative folks have put together quite the assemble of characters and personalities for every one to enjoy and admire.

So many personalities are being displayed and so much fun is being had with their creations.

The Blue Destination New London Bag is your ticket

November 2010

Search high and low,  look in every closet, under each chair plus the trunk of the car for your Blue New London Bags because exciting things are coming for this holiday season and the blue bag is your ticket to savings and success.  Share it with friends, neighbors & family that shopping with your home town stores, restaurants and shops is going to be the best means to truly enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season and assure the spirit of giving all year long.  United we  stand, together we grow, divided we fall.

Destination New London,  Small Business Saturday, the3/50project and you are all focused on the same objective.  See you around town with your blue bag.   Don’t have one yet???  Be sure to stop by any of the businesses in town to get one.

Happy Holiday Season to you all.

Sometimes We Just Forget… Fortunately The 3/50 Project Reminds Us

October 2010

Sometimes we just forget or simply do not realize how much labor goes into running our own business. This is a statement shared with us from a fellow retailer now the founder of  The 3/50 Project.   As the owners of our independent businesses we wear so many caps of responsibility and the buck always ends on our shoulders.  We all start our own businesses confidently knowing that we can do it better than the other guys.  We take great pride in carving out our niche in our market place.   Not only do we strive to offer the most comprehensive knowledge of our products but we also strive to offer the best value of the goods and services we provide.  Quality is job one as Ford Motor Company has said before.  Our primary responsibility is to our customer and their needs, wants and desires.  Helping them achieve the impossible sometimes is our greatest reward.  Reminding them that we are just as important to them as they are to us is a trust we must earn with every transaction.  As we work towards restoring a stronger community bond between us all the attention to detail and the smile on our faces are the advantages over the on-line alternatives .  Thank goodness for The 3/50 Project to remind us of these simple and effective practices.  For after the long day and week we still find our greatest reward is being part of our community and being able to turn the key on our own business.