Wainscott Hardware Receives Business Community Award

Selling Christmas trees and other holiday adornments, in addition to stocking housewares and the nuts and bolts needed by the building trades, Wainscott Hardware has been a salvation for many local contractors, according to shop owner Juan Carlos Diaz, who runs the tidy little store with his daughter, Maria Bartelme.The Hispanic-owned small business, which sits at 338 Montauk Highway, was officially recognized by the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee with its Business Community Award on Saturday, December 6, for the hardware store’s contributions to the community.

Mr. Diaz moved to the United States from Chile in 1991 and settled in East Hampton in 1993. An independent contractor for many years, he said he decided to open the hardware store in 2012 to help himself and his fellow local contractors, who often work long and late hours on various jobs.

“We need stuff when it’s late and everyone is closed,” Mr. Diaz said, adding that the situation is frustrating when carpenters are trying to put the finishing touches on a job, very often after hours.

He noted that he is pleased to be able to support the working community by staying open later, most days until 6 or even 7 p.m. “They really appreciate it because business is booming,” he said.

The healthy building industry in East Hampton in recent years has provided a lot of work for local carpenters. “To be a small contractor, not the biggest guy, you don’t have to run to Home Depot by 5 p.m.,” Mr. Diaz said.

“We’ve actually gotten that last-minute call from people who say, ‘Can you just wait for us?’ So we wait,” added Ms. Bartelme, who manages the store for her father.

Mr. Diaz still works as a contractor. Ms. Bartelme used to work in the business development office at The Ross School, but was excited to start helping her father in the family business.

“It’s been great having the support of the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee, as well as the community,” Ms. Bartelme said.

The Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee gives its Business Community Award annually and it recognizes those businesses that have added to the aesthetics of the downtown business corridor by keeping lawns manicured and landscaped, and displaying attractive storefronts.