Big box stores have nothing to do with this closing.  The store is profitable.  The owner WANTS to close it because he can't handle running 2 businesses.

It's a good thing the City is buying the NorShor.  Maybe they could relocate the hardware store somewhere near the city-owned theatre?

Rollergirl's post doesn't make any sense to me. If the store if profitable, why not hire someone to run it for you? You wouldn't have to deal with all the day-to-day crap, but you'd still be making money minus what you pay a co-owner/manager. Why kill a business if it's profitable? Isn't that the reason TO have a business, and isn't it hard enough to reach a point of actual profitability? Maybe I'm an idiot when it comes to the business world, but with so many people out of work these days, this could have created at least one job (or two - manager & assistant manager). Either way, I'll miss it and their always friendly staff.

I guess this leaves us with only Proctor Builders and Campbell's as hardware stores with knowlegable staff.

I didn't say it was closing BECAUSE of the big-boxes, I said the big-box stores don't compare, meaning they don't compare when it comes to service,or convenience re: location,or old-fashioned charm, for that matter. Home Despot is just not as nice a place to shop, that's all. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I mourned Daugherty's passing for a long time but have recently fallen in love with Denny's Ace hardware up Woodland.

Double Denny's is nice for several things, and I truly enjoy having in the neighborhood, definitely pay a premium most times.

Double Denny's will charge you a buck for a coffee sack that you can get at Alakef for free.

Dang, we at the office are gonna miss this as we work at a downtown business that utilizes Ace Hardware for its needs.

Bleh. Sorry. Sheesh.