Koontz is near and so dear.
If every hardware store in the world were as attentive to and mindful of customers, stocked this much variety, and priced their merchandise so reasonably, there would be fewer angry and broke people walking the planet. I've always loved Koontz, but after being recently traumatized by Home Depot, I appreciate Koontz all the more. Every department at Koontz has its own specialist, and they're experts, not random people assigned to a random department. They know the merchandise inside out, and if you don't see what you need, they WILL find it, whether it's upstairs or requires climbing the shelves all the way to the ceiling. The people who work at Koontz are straight talkers: they'll tell you exactly what you need or don't, and where to find what you need if Koontz doesn't have it or do it. These are lovely people who will never shluff you off, and they all have a great sense of humor. FYI: Koontz has a vast and inexpensive plumbing supply and selection of drawer hardware, and they stock a medley of some of the best cookware (Le Creuset! All Clad!), cutlery (Henckels!), small appliances (Krups! Braun!), and dishes (Waechtersbach!). Koontz is awesome for repairs, too: my cat shredded an 8-foot tall screen for a sliding door, and Koontz replaced it within 24 hours for $13. They did a beautiful job! I was shocked: Home Depot had assured me I would need to special order a $150 screen with frame! Koontz to the rescue, as usual. Sure, the aisles are narrow, but who cares when the shopping and customer service are out of this world? It's part of the Koontz experience! Don't be put off by the prospect of having to park on Santa Monica or San Vicente either. If you enter the small driveway on San Vicente, stay straight and you'll see Koontz's underground garage on the left, and if you enter through the driveway on Santa Monica, head down the driveway and swing a right. I can't say enough about Koontz; it's always a wonderful place to visit. I'll give Koontz my money anytime!
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