A North Side institution for decades, North End Hardware and Rental doesn't just have everything you need, it has staff members who are more than willing to direct you to the right aisle for that just-right screw, washer, or nail for the job. And while big-box stores may have "greeters" to provide a pretense of warmth, that greeting is genuine at North End. It's not just about buying hardware at the store, however. If you need something esoteric for a single use, North End probably has it to rent (including carpet cleaners, for those of you trying to get damage deposits back). Toss in several small-engine repair services and you have the kind of store that you just don't find anymore—a place you can pick up a new light switch, or get advice on how to best tackle a troubling project—and that's advice from folks with plenty of practical experience, not teenagers who can just point you to the right shelf.