Quotes from http://southwestminneapolis.patch.com/articles/it-s-sad-to-see-it-go-bayers-hardware-linden-hills-minneapolis

"@ Robert, you are right, the 9/11 celebration is gone very very wrong.
It started off good in the first year, but now it is just a PUBLICITY STUNT, and a place where people show FAKE Patriotism, and as an excuse to have a concert.
You are right “I knew people who died in 9 11, and I (like most others) find the 9 11 show distasteful. It is an insult to the victims of 9 11, it is an insult to our brave fireman, police, and our armed forces.”
I also knew people who died in 9/11, and they would be horrified by this celebration.
They should stop the 9/11 Tribute Concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell, for all the reasons you described and too many reasons too list here.
@ Robert, Thank you and all Veterans for their service to our country. And a Thank You to our brave heroes in the police and fire departments."

Robert A "The 9/11 Tribute Concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell (which is not really a tribute but a show) put on by Bob Bayer has become very controversial. Immediately after 9 11 most saw it as appropriate. But as the years went on (it has been more than 10 years) most people saw it as inappropriate, and it became more of a tribute to al-Qaeda, a celebration of the Terrorists attacks. They even have firework displays at the 9 11 show, how sick is that, they did everything but reenact 9 11. Why doesn’t Bob Bayer put on a tribute to our brave veterans from all wars, why not a tribute to our brave fireman and police.
The worst was when this 9 11 show keeps stating that the guy from Bloomington is a hero (the lets role guy) for bringing down a plane over Pennsylvania. The bipartisan 9/11 Commission stated that this was not true years ago. Lies weakens our great country (God Bless the USA), and only helps our enemies.
The terrorist killed 2,973 victims on 9 11, but we are a strong nation, and have overcome much worse. The USA moves on and becomes stronger. The 9 11 show is UN American in that is wallows in self-pity.
I knew people who died in 9 11, and I (like most others) find the 9 11 show distasteful. It is an insult to the victims of 9 11, it is an insult to our brave fireman, police, and our armed forces. . It is an insult to our great country the United States of America. I know a lot of fellow veterans who stopped going to Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware because of this"

“Bayers Hardware may be gone, but Linden Hills has a better replacement that has become the “pillar of the neighborhood” in Settergren's Ace Hardware (25 feet away, just around the corner). And Settergren's Ace Hardware is a small family business serving Minneapolis Minnesota for over 100 years.”

A previous post said it best:
Leah
4:40 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I am sad for his loss but in the end one had to survive.
Settergrens has shown their community support and their top notch customer service and product line in their short time in LH and I am glad they came out on top. Bob was a bitter person who really was not at all helpful in the end and it showed. It is no surprise

Full Story Untold In Bayers Hardware Closing

What is the whole story?
Why did Settegren’s open a store in Linden Hills? Especially with a 90 years in business Bayers Do It Best Hardware store in Linden Hills get feet away.
What role did Bob Bayers Do It Best Hardware store in Linden Hills play in this?
What happened to the proposed buyout of Bob Bayers?
Why is Bob Bayer so unhappy?
What about Bayers employees?
Can Settegren’s big store survive in Linden Hills? Is there enough business for this store to be successful?
Will people go to other hardware stores because of unhappiness with Settegren's?
What really happened here? We never seem to get the complete story

Full Story Untold In Bayers Hardware Closing, Another question

Will employees of Bayers Do It Best Hardware store in Linden Hills now go to work for Settegren's Ace Hardware in Linden Hills?

After all Bob Bayer has done for his employees over the years, will most people see this as the employees stabbing Bob Bayer in the back?

Will people who would have shopped at Settegren's now boycott the store because of this?

If Settegren's has superior employees, wouldn’t hiring of Bayers employees be a slap in the face of Settegren's employees?

If Settegren's hires management from Bayers doesn’t that erase the we are family business stuff?

Doesn’t that make Settegren's as cold hearted as has been rumored?

How many people will shop elsewhere because of this?

We've had great experiences with Settergren's since they've come to LH. If I'd known I had such a great option over on Penn, I'd have gone there. The Settergren's team is always happy to help you find something, order something they don't have, provide a little know-how, and are always happy to see you. I have never been told by them to go to the big-box store for something they could obtain, even if it'd take a couple days. My wife kids (somewhat seriously) that the hardware store is my new hobby, but things are getting fixed around the house, and I'm happy to go to, and happy to come home from Settergren's. Even if I do need to go to the big-box place for something like a door, I still get supplies in the neighborhood. There's a -lot- to be said for having a place that stocks what you need 5 minutes from home, especially when you need something mid-project.

The best feature of Settergren's LH is Mark and his staff: they're always glad to tell you not only what'll work best for different applications, but also to save you money if a different approach will work better, or just as well.

It's been a universally positive experience. While we will miss Bayers in the neighborhood, and regret the closing of the store and the impact on the employees and staff, the new store and farmer's market are great improvements to the neighborhood.

Competition wins out.

While I respect the efforts of Bayers to work with Settergren’s, business is business.

I would also suggest that customer service played a significant part in the decline in Bayer’s business over the years. I personally used to rely on Bayers for my home repair and product needs, however, after no less than four separate incidents of terrible service, lack of response, downright rudeness and indifference enough was enough and I never returned.

To be fair, I have tried to shop at Settergrens Penn Ave. as it is somewhat convenient as a stop on my way home from work. While service was ok, prices were too high and even the service and lack of knowledge of surly teenagers was off-putting.

We try to support our small neighborhood businesses but service and price are important too.

@ Jeff F
You seem to be with the majority that did not like the service from the employees at Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware store. There seems to be no end to the bad customer service stories about this group. “after no less than four separate incidents of terrible service, lack of response, downright rudeness and indifference enough was enough and I never returned.” Seems to be a common story, people will not soon forget the people that treated them so poorly. And people do not put all the blame on Bob Bayer.

Settegren’s has a lot of questions to answer to keep up their reputation as an ethical and honorable business. If they make the wrong choices, won’t customers leave them as fast as they left Bayer’s Hardware?

Will employees of Bayers Do It Best Hardware store in Linden Hills now go to work for Settegren's Ace Hardware in Linden Hills?

After all Bob Bayer has done for his employees over the years, will most people see this as the employees stabbing Bob Bayer in the back?

Will people who would have shopped at Settegren's now boycott the store because of this?

If Settegren's has superior employees, wouldn’t hiring of Bayers employees be a slap in the face of Settegren's employees?

If Settegren's hires management from Bayers, doesn’t that erase the we are family business stuff?

Doesn’t that make Settegren's as cold hearted as has been rumored?

How many people will shop elsewhere because of this?

The neighborhood Hardware store is dead.
Bayers Do It Best Hardware store and Settegren's Ace Hardware are Both are way too Expensive
Even when Bayers and Settegren's have sales, their prices are at least 30% more than every day prices at Menards and Home Depot.
And Menards and Home Depot have comparable customer service, more selection, and better quality.

Bayers Do It Best Hardware store is now gone and Settegren's Ace Hardware will be gone in a couple of years.

Bayers Do It Best Hardware store is now gone and Settegren's Ace Hardware will be gone in a couple of years.

The neighborhood Hardware store is dead.

Bayers Do It Best Hardware store and Settegren's Ace Hardware are Both are way too Expensive
Even when Bayers and Settegren's have sales, their prices are at least 30% more than every day prices at Menards and Home Depot.

Save Big Money At Menards.

And Menards and Home Depot have comparable customer service, more selection, and better quality.

Bayers Do It Best Hardware store is now gone and Settegren's Ace Hardware will be gone in a couple of years.

Enjoy your retirement Bob Bayer, you will be missed.

Settegren's Ace Hardware in Linden Hills closing soon; will be gone in a couple of years.
If Settegren's Ace Hardware could not make any money in any month for the last year, competing against the small little family owned Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware. How is Settegren's Ace Hardware going to compete against the new Menards store on 494 and Nicollet, Minneapolis Minnesota, which will be opening soon?
The new Menards store will take business away from both the Settegren’s Hardware on 54th and Penn, and their store in Linden Hills.
Price of Shovels Grills etc. near 50% cheaper at Menards, Target, Home Depot, Wal-Mart than they are at Settegren's. Menards and Home Depot have comparable customer service, more selection, better quality.
Settegren's made a very bad move coming to Linden Hills. The location is hard to get to, a lake on one side, and only through residential neighborhoods. The store is 5 times larger than Bayer’s, and Bayers barely got by all these years. Settegren’s will never attract enough business to be profitable.
According to Hennepin County tax records paid $1,500,000 for the building on 2813 West 43rd Strret. And the taxes are $52,996.76. That is before remodeling costs, inventory and other expenses; they need to do to make monster sale of a large retailer to make a profit.
Didn’t Settegren’s Notice that the only businesses that succeed in Linden Hills are restaurants and small business, and that most retail businesses fail in Linden Hills?

Settegren's Ace Hardware in Linden Hills closing soon; will be gone in a couple of years.
If Settegren's Ace Hardware could not make any money in any month for the last year, competing against the small little family owned Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware. How is Settegren's Ace Hardware going to compete against the new Menards store on 494 and Nicollet, Minneapolis Minnesota, which will be opening soon?
The new Menards store will take business away from both the Settegren’s Hardware on 54th and Penn, and their store in Linden Hills.
Price of Shovels Grills etc. near 50% cheaper at Menards, Target, Home Depot, Wal-Mart than they are at Settegren's. Menards and Home Depot have comparable customer service, more selection, better quality.
Settegren's made a very bad move coming to Linden Hills. The location is hard to get to, a lake on one side, and only through residential neighborhoods. The store is 5 times larger than Bayer’s, and Bayers barely got by all these years. Settegren’s will never attract enough business to be profitable.
According to Hennepin County tax records paid $1,500,000 for the building on 2813 West 43rd Strret. And the taxes are $52,996.76. That is before remodeling costs, inventory and other expenses; they need to do to make monster sales of a large retailer to make a profit.
Didn’t Settegren’s Notice that the only businesses that succeed in Linden Hills are restaurants and small business, and that most retail businesses fail in Linden Hills?

Settegren's Ace Hardware in Linden Hills closing soon; will be gone in a couple of years.
If Settegren's Ace Hardware could not make any money in any month for the last year, competing against the small little family owned Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware. How is Settegren's Ace Hardware going to compete against the new Menards store on 494 and Nicollet, Minneapolis Minnesota, which will be opening soon?
The new Menards store will take business away from both the Settegren’s Hardware on 54th and Penn, and their store in Linden Hills.
Price of Shovels Grills etc. near 50% cheaper at Menards, Target, Home Depot, Wal-Mart than they are at Settegren's. Menards and Home Depot have comparable customer service, more selection, better quality.
Settegren's made a very bad move coming to Linden Hills. The location is hard to get to, a lake on one side, and only through residential neighborhoods. The store is 5 times larger than Bayer’s, and Bayers barely got by all these years. Settegren’s will never attract enough business to be profitable.
According to Hennepin County tax records paid $1,500,000 for the building on 2813 West 43rd Strret. And the taxes are $52,996.76. That is before remodeling costs, inventory and other expenses. THEY NEED TO MAKE MONSTER SALES / REVENUE OF A LARGE RETAILER T O MAKE A PROFIT!
Didn’t Settegren’s Notice that the only businesses that succeed in Linden Hills are restaurants and small business, and most retail businesses fail in Linden Hills?

I will throw in my 2 cents
Bob Bayer really retired more 7 years ago, and it showed in every way, And that caused all the problems.
For the last 7 years, Joe ran Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware. He did everything. He was super nice and friendly, great service, could answer any question, and he could fix anything. I could make a long list of all the things Joe did, but in short – he ran the place. At the same time he offered exceptional customer service that even Nordstrom’s could not match. Joe is very well liked and appreciated in Minneapolis Minnesota, and the surrounding communities.
Unfortunately Joe could not overcome Bob’s poor customer service skills.
If Bob Bayer was at all fair to Joe, Joe should now own at least 40% of Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware.

Now if Settegren's Ace Hardware were smart, they would do whatever it took to hire Joe for their Linden Hills store. It would ensure the success of the store and chain for years to come.
The big question is if Settegren's can offer Joe enough to work there.

If Settegren's were to hire the exceptional talents of Joe, Mike and the rest of the employees of Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware, success would become very easy for Settegren's.

@ Scott Y - yes Settegren's store is 5 times larger than Bayers store, but it still less than 10% the size of a Menards or Home Depot, so they will not need much Sales to make a profit.

@ Jeff E You are right Joe, Mike and all the employees of Bayer’s Do It Best Hardware “offered exceptional customer service that even Nordstrom’s could not match”
However Bob Bayers also was exceptional at customer service. Since he owned and ran the store, and everyone worked for him, it only makes sense that he should be given credit for the exceptional customers service that Bayers Hardware.
Bayers Hardware would still be going strong if not Settegren's Ace Hardware opening a store just feet from them.

Also Bob Bayer was at the store every day, he did not retire years ago, he has always worked at the store every day, and is still working at the store every day.
It’s an unfortunate situation, but let’s not bad mouth Bob Bayer when he is down. He is a good man, may god bless him, and everyone wishes him well in retirement.

We cannot call it historic Linden Hills any more. With Bayers family hardware store closing after 90 years, we only have recent businesses. It is sad. A big part of Linden Hills will die when Bayers finally closes its doors.
Linden Hills will turn into nothing more than a strip mall.

It is a sad time, some day we are going to look back and regret our short sightedness, we are going to regret the closing of Bayers Family Hardware.

It is a sad time for Linden Hills, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the United States of America.