Million Dollar Idea
Someone PLEASE steal this idea: It is simple enough, a hardware store, possibly, but not necessarily specializing in theatrical hardware, somewhere midtown-ish, like 45th and 10th, near enough to the theatre district to be useful. And now here's the kicker... it must be open 24 hours. Do you know how many times I've had a load-in hampered, (or in tonight's case halted entirely) due to the lack of some crucial item, and the lack of a 24 hour hardware store anywhere in Manhattan? New York mat never sleep, but it sure doesn't work much past midnight...
Try Nut House Hardware
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nut-house-hardware-new-york
Was going to offer the same suggestion. They are on 29th between 2nd and 3rd (202 e. 29th). And the staff has always been friendly and helpful when I've been there, even at 2am.
yay! NY Provides! I knew SOMEBODY had to be open 24 hours...