Lee Hardware & Mini Market

Nestled away across the street from Ironsides and Wes Lasher’s VW place is a funny little store with no windows and two large mysterious Chinese characters on the wall. Looking up behind the tree at the hidden sign you see in smaller letters «Lee’s Mini Mart & Hardware».
I ventured inside one hot day after work looking for a six pack of beer and I entered an alternate universe I did not know existed. It is like a sort of run-​down mini-​mart (like Bonfare) and an extra low budget hardware store that you might find in ChinaTown in SF. The whole thing looks like it got picked up by Dorthy and Toto’s twister, tossed like a salad, and then dropped into its current spot.
The store has, lets say, an «eclectic» variety of goods and wares. In the cooler were mixed six-​packs — like bottles cleaned up after a flood or other natural disaster and repackaged with whatever was left intact. Boxes of things that appear normal from a distance jumble across the shelves — but aren’t what you expected when you get up close. Sorta like entering a Mexican Walmart — which is a surreal experience if you want to have one.
What else do they carry? There is «hardware» like stuff — string and tape and glue and the type of hammers and screwdrivers you’d find in the $.99 bin at Ace. They do have smokes and lottery tickets and also some mysterious Chinese electronic thingies. Boxes of cereal brands I’ve never seen before stand out in my mind.
The lady behind the counter has always been nice enough — I perceived a bit of a language barrier, and she tends to stare at me like she is thinking «what are YOU in here for?» — but she is always semi-​courteous and makes my change right.
I’ve been back a few times for this and that — and I’ve sort of grown to like the place — I’m like that — always picking the runt of the litter.
I’d recommend checking any expiration dates (if there are any) on food products. Probably as a mini-​mart or hardware store I’d give it two stars — but as an interesting voyage into the unknown, Lee’s MM&H gets four.

First to review Lee’s Hardware… FCUK Yah! I work practically across the street from this place, and this place has it all… Its like Mrs. Lee herself had a vision to be downtown’s version of Walmart, because like Walmart its a one stop shop… I’ve purchased everything from a pack of smokes to a staple gun, copies of keys, a ratchet set, nails, a P-​trap for plumbing needs, caulking, 3 inch lag screws, paint brushes, etc. And the amazing thing is if you walk in and ask Mrs. Lee where a particular item is, she simply looks at you and says something along the line of «down the third isle three shelves down on your left next to the light bulbs» Huh… and you’re left there thinking how the hell did you know that was there… I don’t think anything in this store was made with a «born on date» philosophy because there’s some OLD shit in this store… Ahhh I guess they sell antiques too i.e. the 9 volt Makita on the back shelf… haha…Just a warning if you go to Lee’s for milk or cold cuts or anything else that’s perishable!