Time Keeps on Ticking
Where did the year go? The kids have returned to school, store shelves are lined with Halloween candy and decorations, and Christmas feels like it’s just around the corner. All sense of time feels askew and twisted, while simultaneously moving too fast and too slow. At Hippo Hardware & Trading Co., we’ve got an assortment of beautiful (and working!) clocks from yesteryears to remind you that, yes indeed, time is actually moving forward! Whether your tastes lean more toward mid- or late-century styles, the tick-tick-ticking of our stunning clocks promises to serve as a soothing metronome of progression for the soul.
One of our favorite timepieces is this stunning Mid-Century Modern (MCM) atomic starburst wall clock by the Robertshaw Controls Company, Lux Time Division. The Lux Clock Manufacturing Company was founded in 1914 by Paul Lux and was later acquired by the Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, in June 1961. Perhaps the world’s last significant design movement, MCM design is best characterized by clean, simple lines without any flourish or decorative embellishment. What we love about this clock is the warm walnut paired with the brass pegs, the plug-in feature, and its overall wow factor! 
Also at Hippo is this beyond gorgeous Franz Hermle & Sons (FHS) pendulum clock, produced in the late 20th century (1970–1999), in the Louis XV style. The German clock company was started by Franz Hermle in 1922 (and later succeeded by his sons). It was Hermle’s quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and use of the latest modern techniques for producing clock movements that prospered at a time when many other American clock makers struggled through the Great Depression. This FHS clock’s boullework features ornately inlaid bronze and wood and a soothing chime that repeats on the hour. 
Finally, we really love this oversized pocket watch wall clock, manufactured by the United Clock Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y., a maker of electric clocks in the 1930s–1960s. Featuring a thick, gold-colored, metal case and curved glass face, this novelty clock has a bit of the White Rabbit (from Alice in Wonderland) feel to it. But, oh dear, don’t you worry about being late (for your very important date) as this clock still runs great and keeps excellent time. This clock would look amazing in a wallpaper-covered reading parlor, flanked by an overabundance of plants and other knickknacks. 
Want to see more vintage clocks, as well as mantle and tabletop clocks? Like clockwork, Hippo Hardware & Trading Co. is open from Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. So, come on in and check us (and our clocks) out… we know you’ll have such a good time that you’ll want to come back for seconds!
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About Us
Hippo Hardware is an eclectic building salvage store specializing in hardware, lighting, architecture and plumbing from 1860-1960. We offer assorted collectibles, trinkets, whatnots, and whoziwhatsits depending on what we get in. The spirit of Hippo Hardware is to rejoice in the individual, the unique, and the original.
Hippo Hardware was officially established in 1976 after the founders Steven Miller and Stephen Oppenheim decided to turn a life of swashbuckling adventures into a second life of swashbuckling adventures. We live in the local, even for our customers far away. That means you will probably hear a story about burying a Porsche in a state park while you are asking about a faucet or meet Fred the shop dog while you're paying for a light fixture. We strongly support community projects, teachers, artists, adventurers, dreamers, and one-man-bands.
If you're looking for a hard to find hardware pattern or can't find the match to your lamp shade, we'd be happy to tell you if we have it, seen it, or know where you could get it.
To make sure you get what you need, we offer the following services:- Lighting and Lamp Repair - We have a fully UL certified lighting repair shop. We can repair and rewire most vintage or antique fixtures. You may want to call or e-mail if it's newer, but we can sometimes fix those too. Shop prices are $80/hour plus parts.
- Customizing - We do our best to make sure it looks just right. Our lighting shop can customize length, finishes, plating, and configuration. Our plumbing department will coordinate refinishing with local companies. The hardware department is able to darken, refinish, clean, and rebuild. Our services can vary depending on staff so please contact us with your project details.
- Returns - Accepted for any reason within 2 weeks of purchase. That means if it doesn't fit, if your sweetheart doesn't like it, if it doesn't match your paint scheme. Receipt required. Returned to you the way you paid and items MUST be in original packaging and condition. Defective or damaged items will not be eligible for a refund.
- If your items were shipped: Shipping refunded only in the case of defective items. Hippo does not refund original OR return shipping cost.
- Online shopping - Conveniently browse our online section of items! Please note: our online section is much smaller than our store selection, we do offer returns for online purchases but do not refund original shipping or provide return shipping. We ship on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
- Trade in - Bring in what you have and we will offer you in store credit or cash. Email pictures first if you'd like to talk about it before you get here.
- Mortise lock repair - Hippo is the only hardware store in Portland that offers full mortise lock repair--including French Door mortises and closet mortises! Our repair shop can diagnose and repair your mortise lock or perhaps we have a replacement if a repair is not an option. Shop prices are $80/hour. Please call our store and ask for Colin to speak about your repair!
Hippo Hardware has three glorious floors and 30,000 sq feet of building salvage to explore. Our inventory, and staff, is divided into four departments: Hardware, Lighting, Plumbing, and Architecture. We do our best to highlight our inventory full of unique items and reproductions on our website, but most of our stock is not online yet. Please contact us if you're looking for something you don't see here.
We donate to: NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Portland Women's Crisis Line, Benson High School, Sunnyside Environmental School, Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show, SE Works, Vision Northwest, Multnomah Playschool, Union Gospel Mission, Community House, The Friendly House, Marylhurst Childhood Center, Portland Lions Club, Sabin Elementary School, Oya No Kai supporting the Japanese Magnet Program, Lee Owen Stone Preschool, Public Interest Law Project, Jefferson High School for the Performing Arts Theater Department, imago Theater, Reynolds High School, David Douglas High School, and Milagro Theater.
