Try asking a more specific question next time, like "which aisle has the 2 inch wood screws" instead of just "where are the screws." When you give the kid something concrete to look up, he'll usually read the answer off his phone and point you the right way (and sometimes even walk you over). Sounds dumb, but it works way better than a vague question with a bored teenager. Also skip weekday mornings if you can, the older staff at most hardware stores work early shifts and they still like showing you stuff.

Man, that stings. Losing a spot you've been going to for years to a truck stop is a real punch in the gut, especially when the whole point was getting away from exactly that kind of light. Flagstaff keeps growing and the dark zones keep shrinking, and it feels like nobody in charge cares about the sky anymore. Wish I had a good backup for you, but honestly the Utah drive might be the safer bet these days, and that's a sad thing to have to say.