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Business & Tech

Huntington Hardware Upheaval

A local business is forced to close its doors after over 30 years of service to the community.

On the outskirts of the Huntington Green sits a familiar fixture. The building has been there as long as many Shelton locals can remember.

Except there’s something new now: a white banner hangs above the entrance. It flaps a little in the damp spring breeze but its hand painted message can still be read as you drive by: “Closing.” A small sad face is drawn next to the message.

The Huntington Hardware Store, after nearly four decades, is closing. Big chain commercial stores have made it increasingly hard for local businesses like Huntington Hardware to stay open.

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“There’s no room for neighborhood stores anymore,” said owner Bob Lally. He said his store’s closing was primarily due to big-box stores, like Home Depot, that attract former customers.

The hardware store in the Huntington Green opened 37 years ago. The business has stayed in the Lally family. “That’s another thing that’s dieing,” said Lally, “family business.”

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The Huntington Rental Center, which rents out party gear such as tents, tableware, moonwalks and cotton candy machines,  is also run from the store. And while Lally has no idea what will happen to the building after they leave, he assures, “we will continue with the rental business.”

“We’re going up to the White Hill Shopping Center,” said Lally about the rental company.

“The Lallys will still be around. Just not at 500 Shelton Avenue,” he said.

There is currently a closing sale in the hardware Store, which will most likely be open until the end of March.

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