We’ve been here all along…

Sam Zeskind opened Zeskind’s Hardware in 1925 at the corner of S. Payson and McHenry, west of the Inner Harbor. Sam and his wife, Rose, lived above the store with their daughters for several years before moving north to Pikesville.

This is a photo of one of the Zeskind daughters outside the store.  We place the photo sometime around 1941.

This is a photo of another Zeskind daughter in front of Zeskind’s Hardware store, looking across Payson street to the building that is currently our warehouse. This building at 207 S. Payson was originally a Strouse-Baer clothing factory, whose name is still engraved on the side of the building. Since then, it has been the Purity Cake factory, the Noe Equl womens hosiery factory, and currently is the Zeskind’s warehouse and showroom.

In 1973, Sam Zeskind’s Grandson, Rick Sr. took over Zeskind’s Hardware. Rick Sr. had been working at the store since the early 1960′s helping stock shelves, repair windows and screens, and waiting on customers. He and his wife Deborah have been the owners of Zeskind’s ever since. Zeskind’s has grown quite a bit since Rick Sr. took over, to become a major player in the Baltimore flat roofing product market. Just about every other aspect of the hardware and window/screen repair business has seen significant growth under his management. Most importantly, Rick has continued the family tradition of personal customer service, which is the key to Zeskind’s success.

 In March of 2008, Sam’s great grandson, Rick Jr. joined Zeskind’s full time after selling millwork and building materials both internationally and across the United States. Rick Jr. has been working in the store part-time since the early 1990′s stocking shelves, fixing screens and windows, unloading trucks and waiting on customers. After gaining many years of experience in both the construction field and in building product sales, he decided to apply that knowledge to the family business. Rick Jr’s specialty lies in windows, doors, cabinets and custom millwork, and so Zeskind’s is now growing rapidly in those areas with focus on Baltimore City, specifically in historic restoration.

 The original corner store maintains its historic feel, having only undergone minor repairs since 1925. However, the addition of two warehouses has made Zeskind’s a stop for roofing, sheetrock, and other building supplies for city contractors and developers. Zeskind’s now offers competetive pricing on products ranging from contractor grade to custom handmade pieces in all areas of building products.