Local Hardware Shop Shuts Doors After 53 Years

A longtime fixture in Mountain View will close its doors this summer, ending 53 years of service to the community. The shop had survived the pandemic as an essential business, but its fortunes slipped sharply once restrictions eased. The owner noted that each year brought fewer sales. Customers who had stocked up on tools and supplies during lockdown began to shop elsewhere, and the rise of online retailers pulled more shoppers away. The local competition also intensified with new branches from a neighboring chain.Higher import costs added to the problem. Many of the shop’s products came from overseas, and tariffs imposed during a recent administration pushed prices higher. This cut profits and made it harder to keep inventory affordable. Facing a steady decline, the owner had little choice but to let the lease lapse. The decision marks the end of a hardware store that once helped residents repair homes and carry out DIY projects.