Settergren Hardware Opens In Linden Hills

After weeks of renovations, Mark Settergren and his employees have finally finished moving everything into their new location in downtown Linden Hills—down to that ubiquitous "hardware store smell."

"I've actually wanted to can it, or to turn it into a candle," Settergren said of the aroma. "I think it's just the combination of things we sell here."

The Linden Hills store, located in the old Co-Op building at 43rd Street and Vincent Avenue South, will be the Settergren family's second location, after at 54th Street and Penn Avenue South.

Settergren pointed out the children's toys, live bait, and housewares he's stocking alongside more traditional hardware store fare.

"I want this to be some place for the whole family to shop," he said.

Perhaps the most unique of the new store's goods are several Little Free Libraries. The small, house-shaped "libraries" are part of a network of privately maintained book-swap boxes found throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. Owners of each new box are asked to register theirs with a nationwide directory maintained by their creators, and marked with a specially branded block of wood affixed to each. New library owners can register their boxes at the new Settergren's Ace Hardware location.

The store joins another hardware store, , in downtown Linden Hills. In response to Settergren's arrival, owner Bob Bayers .

Asked why he wanted to expand his business near another family-owned hardware store, Settergren said his customers drove the decision.

"Before we made our bid (on the space), two other commercial hardware chains had made bids on the space. When we heard this was going to be a hardware store, it was a simple business decision," he said. "We have a lot of regular customers from Linden Hills, and we didn't want to loose them."

So far, Settergren said, many in Linden Hills have been "very welcoming." New shoppers may be surprised to see Settergren's father behind the counter every now and then.

"I'm the fourth generation in this business, and my dad's still teaching me," the younger Settergren said. "He'll point out things like 'You missed that customer who just came in the door.' It's a little abrasive at first but, in the end, he's right."

Next week, Settergren Hardware will be hosting a car seat recycling day Nov. 15. The seats, which are illegal to throw out, recycle, or resell whole, can be turned in to a company that dismantles them for recycling. The company is asking for a $10 donation per seat, but Settergren's will give you a $10 store coupon in exchange for each seat.