Park Hardware Is More Than A Traditional Hardware Store

When Zeskind's, a local family-owned business, acquired Clement Hardware and renamed it Park Hardware last April, the local resident and owner of Zeskind's, Rick Miller Jr., made it clear that his goal was not to replace the longstanding community landmark.

“I remember going to Clement with my parents to pick out knobs for their new kitchen back in 2000,” Miller said. “Even though we had our own hardware store in Baltimore, Clement still had the best selection around. But it also had a great old-fashioned hardware store atmosphere.”

He wanted to build upon that legacy, expanding and enhancing products and services, and giving people more reason to consider Park Hardware a home center much closer than any big-box store.

Since then, expanding the products and services at the store has been a priority for the staff and Miller, who knows what it’s like to run a family business in Anne Arundel County. Not only is he a fourth-generation owner of Zeskind’s, but he is also a Severna Park High School graduate and a longtime Severna Park and Arnold resident. Miller's wife, Joni, and kids, Chloe and Jax, also help at the store on a regular basis.

"We are a family business at our core, improving on the Clement family legacy by adding new services and additional products to this branch of our business,” Miller said. “Our primary focus has always been serving our valued customers, whether it is through our retail hardware stores, or while serving our builder and contractor base of clients."

Zeskind's has two other nearby locations, its legacy retail hardware store in Baltimore City, and a door and millwork manufacturing facility and distribution center in Landover, Maryland. All in all, Zeskind's has over 100,000 square feet of factory and retail space, five delivery trucks, and employs nearly 60 full- and part-time local residents.

"When you shop here, you're not just supporting one local family; you're supporting our employees and their families too who are from this area,” Miller said. “It's the true meaning of a local, family business.”

When customers visit Park Hardware, they are greeted and helped immediately by knowledgeable and friendly staff. "We are proud that the amazing staff has stayed with us and become part of the Park Hardware team, continuing their tradition of excellent customer service,” Miller said. "We also want feedback from customers to see what they want us to stock. If there is a product or service that our customers need, let us know so we can bring it in!"

Customers are amazed as they wander into the Zeskind's showroom through a giant custom-made wood pivot door straight down the main aisle of the Park Hardware retail store. There, they will find thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers in the 2,200-square-foot Zeskind’s Door & Window Showroom. Manufacturers include JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, Andersen Windows + Doors, Masonite Doors, Therma-Tru Doors, Simpson Door Company, Emtek Products, Baldwin Hardware, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Top Knobs, Ashley Norton, Northeast Building Products, Glasscraft Door Company and more.

"Not only have we improved on the retail hardware store; we've expanded the existing Clement fine hardware selection, and added windows and doors, now beautifully displayed for our customers in a dedicated showroom where they deserve the spotlight and tasteful organization,” Miller said.

A virtual tour of the showroom, courtesy of Matterport, is available online (or use the QR code with this article).

Miller wants to meet all hardware, plumbing, paint, electrical and outdoor living needs. Expanding beyond the products offered at Park Hardware, some of the new services include screen, glass and window sash repair, small engine repair, key-cutting and duplication (from standard keys and specialty designs to fob reprogramming), assembly services, and other assistance that is not offered at any other local hardware store.

“If you bought a shelf unit from IKEA or you found a great deal on furniture but can’t assemble it, we can assemble it for you,” Miller said, citing one example.

For customers looking to refresh the inside or outside of a space using new colors, Park Hardware carries a full selection of Benjamin Moore paints. Park Hardware is a destination for many local contractors and homeowners who love the Benjamin Moore product and need a competitive and reliable store open seven days a week for their projects.

"We want to be your partner, whether you've got a weekend DIY (do-it-yourself) project, or you're a builder or contractor looking for knowledgeable salespeople and plenty of paint and sundries in stock,” Miller said.

The store is also partnering with Greenworks to offer electric lawn and garden tools and other equipment while also being an authorized service center that can do repairs, so Park Hardware can stand behind the products it sells and provide the highest level of customer service. Greenworks products were personally chosen by Miller for their great value and high quality.

"As we jump into spring, I’m excited to have a freshly renovated store, with plenty of new products,” said store manager Mike Page. “I’m excited to offer our customers our new Greenworks electric lawn and garden tools, a line we not only stock but service as well!"

With that full complement of products and services, Park Hardware can provide a combination of convenience and inventory that shoppers can’t find anywhere else.

Now that spring is arriving, customers can also come to Park Hardware for all of their seasonal needs, whether they need grass seed or birdseed, fertilizer seed, potting soil, bag mulch, Weber and Green Egg grills, fire pits or lawn mower tune-ups. Park Hardware can be a destination for neighborhood cleanups.

Or they can consult Maryland Master Gardeners while enjoying food truck fare during a native plant sale on May 4. The plants, including milkweed, Black-eyed Susans, and other native favorites, were grown locally by Providence Center of Maryland, a nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group will also supply vegetables and flowers at Park Hardware throughout spring and early summer.

Giving back to the community is important to Miller as a Severna Park native. On behalf of Park Hardware and Zeskind’s, Miller and his team have donated to the For Ellie Foundation, Severna Park High School theater and drama program, Stef Ripple, several Boy Scout troops, the Belvedere Elementary School Belvedere Ball, and St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal School. Miller is an Eagle Scout from Troop 855 of Severna Park, and he understands the importance of community service, involvement and giving back to the community.

Miller, his wife and two children all want Park Hardware to be part of the fabric of the community as they continue to build upon its legacy, just as the Clement family did for over five decades.

To see what the buzz is about, find Park Hardware at 500-A Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. Customers can currently order for delivery to their home or to the store by visiting www.doitbest.com/park-hardware. For more information, call 410-647-4611 or go to www.parkhardware.com.