Read Bros Hardware

Five generations – one store. Read Bros Hardware have been around since 1867, looking after the ever-changing hardware needs of Thames and the Coromandel.

Back in 1867, they likely serviced mainly goldminers, looking to buy sawn timber, pit props, & railway sleepers. Now they just about have one of everything, including gold pans which are just one of more than 14,000 different items that Read Bros sells.
 
It’s been a family-run business right from the beginning and has now passed down through five generations, with brothers Charles and Arthur following John Read (The Founder), Alan was after Arthur, Stuart followed Alan, and now John has stepped up after Stu.
 
When John started Reads, he was a timber merchant and ironmonger. The timber yard was just south of the Pacific Hotel and Academy of Music that were located on the south-west corner of Albert and Brown Streets. Today this is part of Victoria Park South. As this business expanded, Read opened a second yard at the south end of Pollen Street, Thames. In 1935 a building that son Arthur constructed beside the Exchange Hotel on Pollen Street became the premises for the present day business.
 
Arthur also maintained a workshop at the rear of the premises where he replaced saucepan handles, sharpened saws and other tools, mended primus stoves, soldered up leaking pots and kettles, repaired windows, fixed doors, mixed paint in preparation for contract jobs and tended to the needs of the local fishing fleet. You name it, he did it.
 
In 1996 the adjoining Exchange Hotel property was purchased, the building demolished and a new shop built which in addition to refurbishment to the present building, resulted in a shop twice the size. John and his wife Nicola, who took over in 2021, have embraced the age of online shopping and social media by adding a website and facebook.
 
Right from the early days, Read Bros Hardware prided itself on being able to stock quality hardware of every conceivable kind – because who knows what the people of Thames and the Coromandel might need?
 
“If you can’t find it, Read Bros will have it”. It may not be in the store downstairs, but rumour has it, the attic upstairs still has little boxes with string still tied around them with writing belonging to Arthur or Alan that labels the box.
 
Whilst many things have changed over the years, including the name, location and the owners, the values have always remained the same – Integrity, Quality and Relationships.

A well established hardware business catering for all types of trades, services and the general public.

Photos thanks to Nourish Magazine, read more about Read Bros Hardware here.

Hours:
Monday 8 am – 5 pm
Tuesday 8 am – 5 pm
Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm
Thursday 8 am – 5 pm
Friday 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Phone Number: 078686608

Email: admin@readbros.co.nz

Website:

Read Bros Hardware

Five generations – one store. Read Bros Hardware have been around since 1867, looking after the ever-changing hardware needs of Thames and the Coromandel.

Back in 1867, they likely serviced mainly goldminers, looking to buy sawn timber, pit props, & railway sleepers. Now they just about have one of everything, including gold pans which are just one of more than 14,000 different items that Read Bros sells.
 
It’s been a family-run business right from the beginning and has now passed down through five generations, with brothers Charles and Arthur following John Read (The Founder), Alan was after Arthur, Stuart followed Alan, and now John has stepped up after Stu.
 
When John started Reads, he was a timber merchant and ironmonger. The timber yard was just south of the Pacific Hotel and Academy of Music that were located on the south-west corner of Albert and Brown Streets. Today this is part of Victoria Park South. As this business expanded, Read opened a second yard at the south end of Pollen Street, Thames. In 1935 a building that son Arthur constructed beside the Exchange Hotel on Pollen Street became the premises for the present day business.
 
Arthur also maintained a workshop at the rear of the premises where he replaced saucepan handles, sharpened saws and other tools, mended primus stoves, soldered up leaking pots and kettles, repaired windows, fixed doors, mixed paint in preparation for contract jobs and tended to the needs of the local fishing fleet. You name it, he did it.
 
In 1996 the adjoining Exchange Hotel property was purchased, the building demolished and a new shop built which in addition to refurbishment to the present building, resulted in a shop twice the size. John and his wife Nicola, who took over in 2021, have embraced the age of online shopping and social media by adding a website and facebook.
 
Right from the early days, Read Bros Hardware prided itself on being able to stock quality hardware of every conceivable kind – because who knows what the people of Thames and the Coromandel might need?
 
“If you can’t find it, Read Bros will have it”. It may not be in the store downstairs, but rumour has it, the attic upstairs still has little boxes with string still tied around them with writing belonging to Arthur or Alan that labels the box.
 
Whilst many things have changed over the years, including the name, location and the owners, the values have always remained the same – Integrity, Quality and Relationships.

A well established hardware business catering for all types of trades, services and the general public.

Photos thanks to Nourish Magazine, read more about Read Bros Hardware here.

Hours:
Monday 8 am – 5 pm
Tuesday 8 am – 5 pm
Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm
Thursday 8 am – 5 pm
Friday 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Phone Number: 078686608

Email: admin@readbros.co.nz

Website:

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