HardwareStores

Storms are always good for hardware-home improvement superstores, as droves of people stock up on supplies beforehand and work to repair any damage afterwards. If you want to try to profit from the wake of Hurricane Irene, the orange-aproned merchant is the one to turn to.

Louie is the go-to guy in our local hardware store, Mazzone's. Most of the time, all we have to do is stand in the entryway of the small store and tell him what we need. My husband, who manages several apartments, is there constantly, consulting with Louie about the right size nuts and bolts or...