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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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Bikes counted

View Counter Data
110 Trail
785
14th Street Bridge
102
Arlington Mill Trail
360
Ballston Connector
0
Bluemont Connector
225
CC Connector
540
Clarendon EB bike lane
317
Custis Bon Air Park
928
Custis Rosslyn
1211
Eads NB
121
Eads SB
147
Fairfax EB bike lane
157
Fairfax WB
164
Joyce St NB
65
Joyce St SB
0
Key Bridge East
1237
Key Bridge West
839
Military NB bike lane
34
Military SB bike lane
34
MVT Airport South
1913
Quincy NB bike lane
134
Quincy SB bike lane
74
Roosevelt Bridge
429
Rosslyn Bikeometer
724
TR Island Bridge
1077
WOD Bon Air Park
0
WOD Bon Air West
1265
WOD Columbia Pike
1030
Wilson WB bike lane
244

Peds counted

View Counter Data
110 Trail
860
14th Street Bridge
0
Arlington Mill Trail
830
Ballston Connector
0
Bluemont Connector
1023
CC Connector
381
Custis Bon Air Park
757
Custis Rosslyn
765
Eads NB
0
Eads SB
0
Fairfax WB
0
Joyce St NB
66
Joyce St SB
0
Key Bridge East
2646
Key Bridge West
880
MVT Airport South
474
Roosevelt Bridge
173
TR Island Bridge
1414
WOD Bon Air Park
0
WOD Bon Air West
1012
WOD Columbia Pike
885

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Year to Date
1949667