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
According to an article published in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle on Monday, January 21st, 1929, John A. Weider Moved his business from South Ave. & Griffith St. to South Ave. & Court St. in 1881.
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
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
Rochester City Directory 1885
Advertisement in the Democrat & Chronicle
This is the first reference to John A. Weider's business that could be found using available newspaper archives.
Weiders Listing Rochester Business Directory
Rochester City Directory 1887
Help Wanted in the Democrat & Chronicle
This is the first help wanted advertisement for J. A. Weider's business that could be found in available newspaper archives. Interesting to note is that the address listed here is 461 State st. As far as we are aware there was no store at this address. We could speculate that this was an office, or residence belonging to John A. Weider.
John A. Weider Patents a Horse Collar
"Be it known that I, John A. Weider of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Horse-Collars"
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)
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
At this time, John A. Weider has moved his business to 24 Spring St, Rochester, NY.
John A. Weider Opens a Second Location
In this advertisement captured from the Saturday, December 15th, 1917 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, there is an advertisement which indicates that in the year 1917 John A. Weider opened a second store located at 386 Lyell Ave, Rochester, NY.
Data Sources: Saturday, December 15th, 1917 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | 1917 Rochester Directory
Data Sources: Saturday, December 15th, 1917 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | 1917 Rochester Directory
Advertisement in the Democrat & Chronicle
Here in this advertisement from the Saturday , September 28th, 1918 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, we see no mention of a store located at 386 Lyell Ave.
John A. Weider's on Lyell Avenue Closes
Review of archived Rochester Directories dated from 1916 to 1922 appear to indicate that during 1921, John A. Weiders located at 386 Lyell Ave, Rochester NY, closed.
Data Sources: 1916 Rochester Directory | 1917 Rochester Directory | 1918 Rochester Directory | 1919 Rochester Directory | 1920 Rochester Directory | 1921 Rochester Directory | 1922 Rochester Directory
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
John A. Weider starts advertising for dog supplies
Weiders Expands
It is around this time that John A. Weider expands from 24 Spring St. to 23-27-29 Spring St.
Phillip Weider Admitted in to Parthership
John A. Weider's son Phillip F. Weider is admitted in to a full partnership with his father, and the business becomes John A. Weider & Son
John A. Weider & Son Purchase W. H Rowerdink & Son's Harness Department
John A. Weider & Son, 50 Years in Rochester
This advertisement appears in the Monday, January 21st, 1929 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, celebrating John A. Weider & Son's 50th year of business in Rochester, NY.
John A. Weider interview, Democrat & Chronicle
This was a great find. This piece offers some amazing insight in to the state of John A. Weider's business at the time, as well as some details about the early days of the business.
Data Source: Monday, January 21st, 1929 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
Data Source: Monday, January 21st, 1929 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
John A. Weider Dies
This obituary from the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle indicates that John A. Weider died at age 75 as a result of complications from an extended illness.
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
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
On Wednesday, October 11th, 1950, an electrical fire broke out at John A. Weider's & Son Located at West Main & Broad St. in Rochester NY.
Data Sources: Thursday, October 12th, 1950 edition of The Daily Messenger (Canandaigua NY) | Thursday, October 19th, 1950 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
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
Philip Weider dies at the age of 58 at St. Mary's Hospital. Mr. Weider reportedly suffered from a heart attack at his home, and was transported to the hospital where he later died.
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
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
September 1961, John Weider Co. Opens a location in Suburban Plaza in Henrietta. This store is a part of the Pro group. This store secondary to the store located at 257 Broad St. in downtown Rochester, NY.
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
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
In 1967, Weider's Hardware on West Main & Broad closes to make way for the Inner Loop Project
Weider's Hardware Featured in News Article
Pictured: Robert "Bob" Lull, Owner of Weider's Hardware (xxxx-xxxx)
Data Source: Wednesday, November, 21st, 1990 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Data Source: Wednesday, November, 21st, 1990 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
The Ice Storm of 1991
Monroe County Officials declared a state of emergency and approximately 200,000 homes and businesses in the Rochester Area were without power.
Data Source: Wednesday, March 13th, 1991 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | Tuesday, March 5th, 1991 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Data Source: Wednesday, March 13th, 1991 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | Tuesday, March 5th, 1991 edition of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Ned Green & Greg Lull buy the Business
Ned Green and his brother in-law Greg Lull in partnership, buy the Weiders business from Robert "Bob" & Joanne Lull. Joanne Lull was the Granddaughter of John A. Weider.
Weider's Hardware Advertisement
Weider's Hardware opens in Honeoye Falls
In 1998, Weiders Hardware opens a second location in Honeoye Falls
"The Horse"
Weider's Hardware in Suburban Plaza Closes
In 2001, Weiders Hardware in the Suburban Plaza in Henrietta NY closes.
Weiders Hardware in Brighton Opens
In 2015, Owner Ned Green made the decision to open location in Brighton NY, located in the space formerly occupied by the Lilac Laundromat near Twelve Corners.
Weiders in Honeoye Falls Turns to Ace
To meed the increasing needs of the community, Weiders Hardware in Honeoye Falls, decided to move away from the Pro Hardware group and joined the Ace Hardware group.