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Twins ACE Hardware

Jeff Smith, Owner

Counting nuts and bolts has its benefits. That’s how owner Jeff Smith started, by working in one of the area’s oldest local hardware stores. He was drawn to the work because it is multifaceted and you’re never bored working in a hardware store. Then in November 2016, Jeff and his twin brother had the opportunity to open their own store. Jeff owns Twins ACE Hardware in Clarendon and his brother has one in Fairfax. He has always been drawn to Arlington because of its diversity of people and its neighborhoods. As the slogan indicates, it’s nationally known but locally owned. His Clarendon location is in a dense area where he recognized a need for a hardware store. While you’ll find typical items like a hammer, nails and paint — you’ll also discover other interesting items such as plants, the Big Green Egg and even local homemade soap. Jeff notes one gentleman who comes by bike, always gets the whoopee pie. Plants are a big seller and his customers appreciate the variety he keeps in the store. In the spring and summer, you’ll find plants out on the sidewalk. For younger shoppers who may not know how hardware stores used to be, Jeff draws from his days at Strosniders (a local store in business since 1953) and tries to stock with local items and recreate that local corner store feel.

During the pandemic, like many other businesses, he experienced difficulty in keeping items stocked but wanted to support his local community. Again from his previous local hardware store experience, he used his contacts to secure high-demand items such as toilet paper, propane heaters and hand sanitizer. He even donated supplies to local organizations such as AFAC and Arlington Free Clinic.

With 15 employees, Jeff boasts that an impressive 80% of them use public transit, walk or bike to get to work. Jeff will sometimes use the Metro, which is only two blocks away. Surprisingly, only three or four of them drive their vehicles to work. Several bus lines pass directly in front of the store and there’s a Capital Bikeshare station only a block away along the bike lane.

Twins Ace Hardware
Clarendon Blvd.
2001 Arlington, VA 22201
Go car free to Twins Ace Hardware


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Arlington’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Counters

Bikes counted

View Counter Data
110 Trail
84
14th Street Bridge
1290
Arlington Mill Trail
52
Ballston Connector
0
Bluemont Connector
38
CC Connector
83
Clarendon EB bike lane
73
Custis Bon Air Park
79
Custis Rosslyn
106
Eads NB
18
Eads SB
23
Fairfax EB bike lane
27
Fairfax WB
31
Joyce St NB
10
Joyce St SB
0
Key Bridge East
209
Key Bridge West
116
Military NB bike lane
2
Military SB bike lane
3
MVT Airport South
229
Quincy NB bike lane
20
Quincy SB bike lane
14
Roosevelt Bridge
41
Rosslyn Bikeometer
105
TR Island Bridge
92
WOD Bon Air Park
0
WOD Bon Air West
0
WOD Columbia Pike
122
Wilson WB bike lane
59

Peds counted

View Counter Data
110 Trail
649
14th Street Bridge
0
Arlington Mill Trail
586
Ballston Connector
1667
Bluemont Connector
46
CC Connector
454
Custis Bon Air Park
203
Custis Rosslyn
527
Eads NB
0
Eads SB
0
Fairfax WB
0
Joyce St NB
68
Joyce St SB
0
Key Bridge East
2454
Key Bridge West
770
MVT Airport South
375
Roosevelt Bridge
0
TR Island Bridge
938
WOD Bon Air Park
0
WOD Bon Air West
0
WOD Columbia Pike
486

All counters, YTD

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Year to Date
2200147