In French, "Pret" means "ready". I'd say that Pret's Ace Hardware here in Galveston is more than ready for most of your hardware lumber needs.
This is an old-fashioned neighborhood-style hardware store, and a little bit more. There's a lumber-yard, and enough space for a few extras. The best thing about Pret's is that the staff are eager to help and not too busy to be polite. Even if they don't have what you want, they'll suggest another place that might have it.
Sure, they probably carry all the same things at Home Depot -- but you'd have to walk a mile around that store trying to find someone to help you find what you're looking for. And (with a gew exceptions) the Home Depot staffer would probably either not know where to find, or else they'd be rude, or else they'd be overwhelmed and overworked. Better off to start by calling Pret's. Ask if they have what you want, and if they don't then (and only then) venture to the chain store.
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