AN 100-year-old hardware store in New Hampshire is closing as locals mourn the loss of their go-to one-stop shop.
Since 1918, Hanover True Value has served all of its customers needs for any odd screws, bolts, paint, plant pots or grills.
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The local one-stop shop will be closing as its faithful owners and managers, Sonya Campbell and her husband, Mike, retire.
They tried to sell the business for over a year to no avail with two potential deals falling through. Now, the community is devastated at the loss of the important home depot.
“We were really hoping one of these two (potential buyers) would buy it, but it takes a big-time commitment,” Sonya, 65 told Valley News.
Rising interest rates is also understood to be part of the reason to sell. “Running a small retail business is like having a child that never grows up," she added.
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Its departure from the downtown area, close to Dartmouth College, represents a far larger phenomenon taking shape in the area - the steady loss of basic necessity shops.
“When I started at the hardware store, we were on Main Street; it was the quintessential small-town shop, where you could buy any living necessity,” said Campbell.
Her love for the True Value began right out of high school in 1976 when she got a job there before eventually purchasing it in 1991.
“And slowly, over the years, that has really evolved. There are a number of things that are not available in town, like children’s clothing, shoes, work boots, really even sporting goods.
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"I feel sad that the closing of our store is going to take even more of that away," she said.
Hanover True Value was known for its welcoming customer service and detailed knowledge of all things hardware-based.
“It’s the kind of place where you can go and get expert help,” said Jeff Graham, executive director of the Hanover Improvement Society.
“They were able to help you figure out a way to get done what you need to get done. They filled a very unique mix, and it’s not going to be replaced easily."
Graham continued: “There were incredibly hard-working people, and it’s going to be a big loss for the downtown,” Graham said.
Director of the Upper Valley Business Alliance Tracy Hutchins believes the downtown shopping core will suffer without True Value.
“Hanover (True Value) is kind of a destination business; people come downtown because they have a specific need there,” Hutchins said.
“And while they are there, they might go into other stores and grab lunch. Now they might not be coming. It’s going to leave a big hole in downtown and alter the number and mix of retailers.”
Dartmouth College, who owns the building, is now responsible for filling the large now-vacant space.
Daniel Justynski, director of real estate for Dartmouth College, explained they are planning to break up the 4000sqft space into smaller units.
“I think if I were to hold out for a 4,000-square-foot tenant, it would be challenging,” he said, while also sharing his sadness at the loss of True Value.
"By being open to splitting the property up into three separate storefronts, I believe we’ll be able to fairly quickly identify new occupants and make the space available for them.”
As for Sonya and Mike Campbell - they've got big plans in mind for their well-deserved retirement.
“For six months, we aren’t going to do anything,” Sonya said. “We might take a couple trips, but we aren’t in a hurry.”
Then, they reckon they will set sail for warmer weather in Arizona or Florida.
“Our family is here, and we want to spend more time with our grandchildren,” Sonya Campbell said. “We also have a lot of friends in the (hardware store) industry who are retired, and we’d like to visit them.”
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Hutchins from the local business alliance, although mourning their departure, said: “Retail is not an easy gig, and they absolutely deserve to have time for themselves and enjoy life, because they have put in a lot of time and effort.
“They’ve had a beautiful business; the store was always a pleasure to go into, and that takes a lot of effort to maintain that. I wish them many happy trails.”
