What in the world are countersunk screws and hog rings? And what is the purpose of circlips, Volo-hooks, and felt pads? When you enter the hardware store Ferd. Schüllenbach for the first time, you’re likely to feel a little lost. This store is located in Hamburg’s famous St. Pauli district, and its shelves and cabinets reach the ceiling, filled with countless little boxes, drawers with carefully written labels, household goods and locking systems. If you take a closer look, you’ll find a veritable treasure trove hidden behind the maze. Aenne and Clemens Flagge, representing the fifth generation of this family-owned business with cult-status, are happy to guide their customers through the labyrinth to do-it-yourself nirvana. “We still sell everything separately, and we offer spare parts for older models as well as technical advice. That’s how we deal with the competition from the home improvement stores,” says Aenne Flagge, the owner of the business. She sits like a regal matriarch at the register in the middle of the shop, passionately caring for her domain, running the business end of the shop while her husband Clemens and their three employees take care of the customers. They can always be counted on to find a solution to the customers’ problems, no matter how vague the description. The witty commentary from the sales staff is thrown in for free.