Plant a Pancake

84 years later, and McLendon's is still a family owned and run local hardware store serving an annual free pancake breakfast to kick off another year of business and the beginning of planting season. Up and adam early and you'll get a tummy full of carbs and protein to help fuel your day out in the garden.

The lines are long, but the pancake grill is fast and before you know it, you are feasting on a couple of flapjacks, 2 links of sausage, oj and hot coffee. Did I happen to mention that it was free?

Just in case you get the hungries before you make it to the head of the line, there is a cookie stop where you can seek sugar nourishment.

The smell that wafts over from the huge serving dishes full of breakfast goodies is wonderful. Everything is just hot off the grill and fresh, fresh, fresh.
That is a full head of steam rising from what was to become my plate. It was good, in case you were wondering.


This little guy just camped out in the cart, scarfing down as many sausage as were available.

This is probably the biggest store day for McLendon's the whole year, except for Mother's Day weekend when those fuschia hanging baskets just fly out the doors.

The Picaroon had a cart full of flowers and plants to plant, and all save one made it into the ground or pot this afternoon.

Happy 84th McLendon's!

McLendon's Hardware
440 Rainier Ave S
Renton, WA 98057-2401
(425) 235-3555

Pancakes and potting soil

Every one has a holy grail - for some it is the best set of car rims, maybe a first edition comic book unearthed at a garage sale, or in our family's case - a good sale and a "free" something or other. I am certain you know just how I spent my Saturday morning....
The lines were long but moved apace - and there is always someone to talk to at McLendon's.
I overheard that they were prepared to serve 1,600 deserving customers with a pair of link sausage, two flapjacks, a cup of orange juice and some hot coffee. Impressive.
Three long, hot griddles going constantly, churning out some mighty tasty pancakes, complete with butter and maple syrup - your plate was fresh and piping hot when it was handed to you.
Long tables, decorated with flowers and a white paper table cloth awaited you. Standing room only. No one cared - they just happily munched.
This is McLendon's biggest sale of the year - the full parking lot attested to that. Hanging Baskets of Fuchsias for $17.99, and tons of other garden goodies. We stocked up. Hey - and the Puget Energy "Spin the Wheel" offered prizes, and with one spin, Mom landed a $20 coupon to McLendon's! It was promptly spent.

Ummm - free pancakes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/exlibris/2286985826/
This is the big weekend where you get to fuel up on a free pancake breakfast, compliments of McLendon's Hardware Renton Store and then hit the sales that are waiting there in store for you. The best deals are on the lovely Fuchsias - just in time for our newly burgeoning garden plans and the near advent of Mother's Day. Shopping local was never so good!

McLendon's Hardware 440 Rainier Ave.S. Breakfast served 7:30 am - 10 am
PS - Puget Sound Energy will also be there and having a drawing - so check it out