PHOTOS: Will Historic Butt's Hardware Ever Reopen?
The longtime Perry Hall hardware store and curiosity shop appears shuttered.
Photos
A small handwritten sign on the door of Butt's Hardware reads, "I am closed for doctor appointments"—an ominous note, causing some to believe the shop may never reopen.
Part hardware store and part curiosity shop, Butt's Hardware is a longtime fixture at 8832 Belair Road in Perry Hall. Behind locked doors, it remains stuffed full if its signature knickknacks. The phone number listed on the store's sign is no longer in service.
"It's a quirky little piece of Perry Hall history. I'd be sad to see it go," said County Councilman David Marks.
Marks, a Perry Hall historian, said it was known as a great place to buy inner tubes. He added that there have been no recent development requests or zoning changes related to the property.
The original structure was built in 1931, according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. The structure is listed as nearly 3,800 square feet. The total land property, including nearly 72,000 square feet, is currently valued at less than $900,000. One of the listed property owners, a Kingsville resident, was not available to comment when contacted by Patch.
Workers at an adjacent business said several people have asked about Butt's Hardware's closure, but they had no information on it.
In 1986, Patuxent Publishing photographer Doug Kapustin captured a photo of then-owner John J. Butt resting in a chair outdoors with a customer. The photo is now part of the Baltimore County Public Library archives.
Marie Butt (wife of William "Buddy" Butt, the unofficial mayor of Perry Hall) said the past owner of the hardware store was a distant relative of her husband. The family had no further information on the store.
Do you have any memories of Butt's Hardware? Do you know if it will ever reopen? Tell us in the comments.
Mark Patro
7:56 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Years ago there was a "Butts & Betty's" hardware store in Canton. I'm wondering if there is a connection between these two businesses?
Jill Angel
8:33 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I had to laugh when I read Mr. Marks comment. When I was little my mom used to go there to get inner tubes for the beach! Big black hot inner tubes LOL!
David Marks
8:56 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
It was the only place I knew where to get them! And they are still holding up well, 20 years later.
Kris
8:51 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Is it safe to say that the editor, when researching this story, was out looking for Butt?
CR
11:29 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
There was some activity a few weeks ago. I saw some people sweeping up and looked to be clearing out a bunch of the items that were outside.
On another note, I do wish the hardware store where the rite-aid is now located was still there. It was nice to have a small local store like that.
Heather Patti
7:23 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
CR.. it would be nice to have the old K & K Hardware Store back again. Local hardware stores are so much better than the big superstores.
Bill Howard
8:59 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sounds like health issues. Pray for healing for whomever the note refers.
Peace.
Bill Howard
9:03 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
PS I was funny to see a row of 20 - toilets along Bel Air road.
Ktown
6:03 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
If I am not mistaken, the late Mr. Butz had a brother killed in WWII.
Big T.
7:58 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Back in the day, we all used to scrape up .28 cents per gallon of gas for our mini bikes . you also had many places to ride them.
Loretta Rutkowski
9:06 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Loretta
Regarding John Butt's Hardware Store, I do not believe there is/was any connection to the "Butts & Betty's" Hardware Store in Canton. Seems "Butts" is perhaps a man's nickname? My husband and I like to shop at the Ace Hardware Store in the Perry Hall Plaza Shopping Center. An employee, Mr. Lauren Akehurst is always very helpful and friendly. John Butt was a cousin of George Butt who was killed in WW II. I have noticed the changes at John Butt's place and wonder if the property is being ready for sale and may have already been sold. Loretta Kahl Rutkowski
Kris
10:35 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
They'll probably put a Rite Aid or a CVS there, to fill the .25 mile gap on belair road between pharmacies.
David A. Kraus
9:31 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I remember Mr. John Butt, and I attended St. Josephs School with his son Carl. Mr. Butt sold used cars from this site in the 1950's. He had a very nice 1951 Chevrolet convertible, metalic brown with a tan top, that I wanted to buy as a teen. I could not afford the purchase, but I think about that car every time I drive by that location. Mr. Butt felt bad about the car, and afterwards, he told me to come and talk with him anytime. I knew Mr. John as a kind man, and a good businessman. I often wonder what ever happened to Carl. We knew him as Carly.