A&A Hardware Inc. is an independent retail store, family owned and operated by Mike, Ellen, Brady & Matt Albert.  We bought the vacant building from the owner of the former hardware store in October of 2001. Those were mean times as we all recall, 9/11 was still fresh in all of our hearts and patriotism grew strong in our souls.

Together with our two grown sons and Heather, our daughter in-law, we decided our small town needed the hardware store business we had lost less than a year before.  Jumping in with our creative ideas and common knowledge of retail, the family put their best feet forward.

The re-opening of the hardware store that had been part of our town for the last 25 plus years was greatly received by our little community. There was no grand opening, no bells and whistles, no free this or that. We just turned on the lights and bless our community for coming through the door with big smiles on their faces.  We gratefully smiled back and for the past nine years have been doing our best to give everyone the customer service they deserve.

As the war began and the economy deteriorated our business grew in some respects and tumbled in others.  Small businesses are known for their short lives in this era and we were not willing to let it happen to us.

A few years ago, a fellow townsman suggested we put in a lobster tank.  We gave it a try and to our delight it has turned into a  growing business. Our new addition holds three large live lobster tanks and a fresh clam cooler.

Although live lobster is fairly available in Maine , it is not without traveling some to purchase it.  We are located about 40 miles from the coast of Maine and since bringing live lobster into our business, we receive fresh Maine lobster deliveries several times a week. We also carry fresh clams during the summer months.

Recently Mike reached retirement age from his 35 years in the sales field throughout the United States and  Canada, and joined us full time in the business.  The shipping part of the business has developed a life of its own and now Mike, Brady and Matt are the Maine men to talk to when it  comes to your fresh Maine Lobster order. 

After a sucessful Sea Duck Hunt off the coast of Maine
friends enjoy some great Maine Lobster