Bill’s Hardware had a grand reopening over the weekend. As a matter of fact, it was grand enough that one customer said, “I’ve been coming here for years and when I walked in I wondered where I was.”

Brandon Williams stands outside the door of Bill’s Hardware demonstrating the merits of a Big Green Egg barbecue with covered metal trays lined up and ready for tasting. “I started off with smoked meat with Kentucky barbecue sauce, then some meatballs and then boneless, skinless chicken thighs with our citrus herb seasoning. Now I’m making flank steak.” He says, “Big Green Egg grills started in Atlanta 50 years ago with grilling on the side of the street just like we’re doing today.”

Bill’s Hardware has been at its location on Buchanan Street since 1979. Locals were used to wandering down narrow aisles and searching 

Brandon Williams demonstrates the virtues of the Big Green Egg grill at Bill’s Hardware on Saturday, May 4. 

 

Customers each received a big red Ace’s shopping bag with the instruction that they could take 20 percent off the price of whatever fits inside. One customer put his can of specially mixed “Weathered Oak” Minwax stain in his bag while another speculates how he could stuff a new Big Egg Green grill into his bag. Meanwhile four-year-old Christopher Griesedieck III wrestles with a big box for the grill at home.

In 15 minutes the line has grown from one customer to a queue snaking around the snack food display and down the aisle. One customer peers through the door and comments, “I think maybe I’ll come back tomorrow.” But that’s ok. Sunday will offer more coupons, special deals and giveaways.