Gustin's Hardware, Mountainair NM is Not Your Typical Hardware Store

Gustin's Hardware Store is located on Highway 60 in Mountainair, New Mexico. You can tell it is not your typical hardware store even before you enter the doors. Along the street on the West side of the building is an unusual collection of rusting tractors, cattle equipment, and farming implements from long ago. Established in 1980 by Larry and Patsy Gustin, the hardware store is a must see spot when touring Mountainair.

Inside, you can find screws, nuts, bolts, hand tools, paint and everything you need to finish your latest do it yourself project, as well as a wide selection of livestock supplies and feed. The friendly staff is always ready to help you find what you are looking for or provide a bit of advice on a project but what sets Gustin's Hardware apart are the objects that are not for sale.

Above the shelves and isles are artifacts of a by-gone era. Glass milk and medicine bottles fight for room among the hundreds of antique tools and artifacts of yesterday. There are many rusty thing-a-ma-jiggers and what-cha-ma-call-its.

The walls are covered with plaques of twelve inch square wood panels. Each panel is adorned with a livestock brand and the owner's name. It is a who's who of the local ranchers and Gustin's Hardware customers. It is interesting to check out the different brands and a great way to figure out who owns the stray that wandered onto your place.

The huge windows on the street and in every other available space are filled with mounted animals. Three deer appear to frolic beside a mountain lion while a raccoon peaks through a log. Bison, ibex and buffalo watch you with their glass eyes as you casually move about the store. A bobcat sits perched to pounce on unsuspecting victims.

One display that attracts all visitors is the six foot live diamond back rattlesnake. His aquarium is near the back door. He greets customers with the shake of his tail and a flick of his tongue. Rumor has it that no one has ever tried to break into Gustin's Hardware Store as the snake is set loose at night. The rumor, whether true or false, has never been tested by anyone.

Gustin's Hardware Store is a wonderful way to explore the local history. Many of the items are museum quality and it is like stepping back in time to browse through the store. Just watch out for that rattlesnake.