definition
strict definition
hardware store
A retail outlet specializing in tools and supplies used in ordinary maintenance and handiwork.
A hardware store is a shop or large store specializing in tools and supplies used in various types of handiwork, such as gardening, furniture repair, painting, home improvement, and so on.
This does not include home improvement stores, which tend to be much larger and include heavier-duty building supplies and a greater variety of products.
The focus is tools and supplies for handiwork. The broader, heavier building-supply range of a home improvement store establishes the separate use described there.
hardware store Photos
Related definitions
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antiques shop
A retail establishment specializing in items valued for rarity or advanced age, including furniture and other objects. -
bed store
A retail space specializing in beds or bedding, including mattresses, frames, pillows, sheets, and blankets. -
carpet store
A retail space specializing in continuous carpet floor coverings bonded to the floor, usually across an entire room. -
flooring store
A shop specializing in flooring products such as tiles, parquet, and wood boards. -
furniture store
A retail outlet selling large and small furnishings for homes, offices, or similar living and working spaces. -
garden center
A retail outlet specializing in plants or other gardening supplies, sometimes with greenhouses or outdoor sales areas. -
home accessories store
Retail space specializing in household items such as appliances, kitchenware, bath products, and furniture. -
home improvement store
A generally large retail store selling home-improvement and do-it-yourself building products to people improving their own homes. -
kitchenware store
Retail space specializing in dishes, glasses, cookware, utensils, and/or appliances for food handling. -
lamp store
A retail store primarily selling lamps or lighting appliances for indoor or outdoor use, excluding candle stores. -
paint store
A retail space mainly selling paints, varnishes, or other colored and protective surface coatings. -
picture frame store
A shop specializing in frames for paintings, posters, photographs, and other wall hangings. -
rug store
A retail space specializing in loose single-piece floor coverings without bonding or permanent floor attachment.