About Weiders
It was in 1879 when John A. Weider opened his horse-and-harness supply business on Spring Street in downtown Rochester. Flash forward to today, Weiders Hardware operates stores in Honeoye Falls and Brighton.
Weiders Hardware has moved quite a few times over the years. By the early 1900s, when hardware was added to the offerings, Weiders moved to State Street (West Main & Broad). From there, it was on to West Main Street, where the store remained for more than half a century before it was demolished for the Inner Loop project in 1967. In 1961, Weiders opened a second location in Suburban Plaza on East Henrietta Road in Henrietta. The Honeoye Falls store opened in 1998. The Henrietta shop closed in 2005, and the Brighton store opened in a former Lilac Cleaners shop near Twelve Corners in the spring of 2011. In 2015 the decision was made to switch suppliers for the Honeoye Falls store and Weiders Hardware joined Ace.
OUR MISSION
Providing quality goods and amazing customer service since 1879.
In 1929, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of his business, John A. Weider is quoted as saying “Give them what they want”. John A. Weider believed that it was his commitment to excellent customer service which helped his horse and harness business thrive during the rise of the motor age.
Today, Weiders Hardware operates with the same commitment to excellent customer service.
WHY CHOOSE US
Amazing Customer Service
All our team members are high-qualified, educated and skilled agents. All of them are being trained according to the latest technologies. Our newbies work together with experienced colleagues to study all the details.
Great Prices
Our prices are both fair and affordable for all people. We offer flexible discount system so you could use any service you need.
Locally Owned and Operated
We provide discounts on the most popular services and on the season services, so you could definitely receive any help without delay.
Our Story
We have done extensive research in to the history of Weiders Hardware dating back to the day that it opened in 1879. Have photos or news clippings? Let us know using our “Contact Us” page. We would love to include them here!
John A. Weider Opens For Business
In 1879 John A. Weider opened his shop at 164 South St. Paul (at South St. Paul/South Avenue & Griffith St.) in downtown Rochester, NY selling horse harness and furnishing goods.
Data Sources: 1879 Rochester Directory | Monday, January 21st, 1929 Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Page 28
Business Moves
However, this may not be accurate, archived copies of the Rochester Director list J. A. Weider as being located at 77 South St. Paul Street (also known as South Ave) from indicate that in 1881, J. A. Weider, Harness Maker, was located at 162 South St. Paul Street This source further indicates that J. A. Weider was located at 77 South St. Paul Street in 1882 and 1883. J. A. Weiders is finally observed listed as being located at 143 Saint St. Paul Street in 1884.
Data Sources: Monday, January 21st, 1929 Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Page 28 | Link To Annotated Map | Link to Complete Map via Library of Congress | 1881 Rochester Directory | 1882 Rochester Directory | 1883 Rochester Directory | 1884 Rochester Directory
Listing in Rochester City Directory
Advertisement in the Democrat & Chronicle
Weiders Listing Rochester Business Directory
Help Wanted in the Democrat & Chronicle
John A. Weider Patents a Horse Collar
John A. Weider invented a new type of horse collar that was able to be separated at the bottom making it easier for the operator to apply and remove.
Data Source: US Patent 570887A (Archived by Google Patents)
Posting in the Democrat & Chronicle Classifieds
John A. Weider Opens a Second Location
Data Sources: Saturday, December 15th, 1917 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | 1917 Rochester Directory
Advertisement in the Democrat & Chronicle
John A. Weider's on Lyell Avenue Closes
Data Sources: 1916 Rochester Directory | 1917 Rochester Directory | 1918 Rochester Directory | 1919 Rochester Directory | 1920 Rochester Directory | 1921 Rochester Directory | 1922 Rochester Directory
Advertisement in the Democrat & Chronicle
Weiders Expands
Phillip Weider Admitted in to Parthership
John A. Weider & Son Purchase W. H Rowerdink & Son's Harness Department
John A. Weider & Son, 50 Years in Rochester
John A. Weider interview, Democrat & Chronicle
Data Source: Monday, January 21st, 1929 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
John A. Weider Dies
Note: The obituary incorrectly states that John A. Weider died in 1935. John A. Weider died in 1936.
Data Source: Wednesday, January 29th, 1936 edition Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Fire at John A. Weiders & Son
Data Sources: Thursday, October 12th, 1950 edition of The Daily Messenger (Canandaigua NY) | Thursday, October 19th, 1950 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Philip Weider Dies
Data Sources:Friday, February 27th, 1959 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | Saturday, February 28th, 1959 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (Pages 12 & 18) | Monday, March 2nd, 1959 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Weider's Hardware Opens in Suburban Plaza
Newspaper archives contain a news article about the opening of the new store. This article was published on Thursday, September 21st, 1961, however, prior to this article, an advertisement for an event taking place in Suburban Plaza lists Weider's Hardware as a sponsor of the event. This advertisement was published on Friday, June 30th, 1961.
Data Sources: Thursday, September 21st, 1961 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | Friday, June 30th, 1961 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Weider's Hardware Advertisement
Weider's on West Main & Broad Closes
Weider's Hardware Featured in News Article
Data Source: Wednesday, November, 21st, 1990 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
The Ice Storm of 1991
Data Source: Wednesday, March 13th, 1991 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | Tuesday, March 5th, 1991 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle