After 118 years in business, Home Depot’s oldest competition is closing its doors
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It’s the end of an era for a beloved local institution. This family-run hardware store that’s been a fixture in its San Francisco neighborhood for an astonishing 118 years has announced it will be closing its doors for good.
For many, this news is more than just the loss of a shop; it’s the loss of a community cornerstone, a place where generations have gone for everything from a single screw to a friendly chat and expert advice.
A Century of Service Comes to a Close
Pacific Heights Hardware first opened its doors in 1907, surviving two world wars, the Great Depression, and countless changes in the retail landscape.
But even a business with such a storied history isn’t immune to the challenges of the modern world.
According to staff, the decision to close was a difficult one, but ultimately unavoidable.
“We just didn’t have a lot of people coming by, and so it was just costing us more money than we were getting,” said employee Lisa Schmid.
Despite the store’s reputation for friendly service and a carefully curated selection of goods, foot traffic simply never recovered after the pandemic.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on Local Businesses
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for many small businesses, and Pacific Heights Hardware was no exception.
When lockdowns hit, nearly all retail businesses were forced to close their doors for weeks on end. For big chains with deep pockets and robust online operations, this was a hurdle.
For small, independent shops that rely on regular, in-person customers, it was a disaster.
Also read: You might not find these popular Home Depot products soon—here’s why prices aren’t the only thing changing
Even as restrictions eased, the world had changed. More people were shopping online, and giants like Amazon and Walmart were only too happy to fill the gap.
For many, the convenience of a few clicks outweighed the charm and expertise of a local shop.
A Community Mourns the Loss
The announcement of the closure has been met with an outpouring of support from the local community.
Long-time customers have been stopping by to share memories, express their sadness, and even offer hugs to the staff.
“Since we put out the going-out-of-business sale, a lot of people have come in, and they stress how sorry they were and gave hugs,” Schmid shared.
Related story: Huge blowout sales begin–Here’s how you can score big before these 500 stores vanish forever!
Sondra Halperin, a San Francisco resident, reminisced about shopping trips to the store with her cousin.
“It’s been an icon in the neighborhood for years,” she said, praising the knowledgeable staff and the store’s unique, hand-picked inventory. “One of the reasons that San Francisco is so charming is that we do have these mom-and-pop stores that have survived and actively work to keep them in our neighborhoods and support them. Chain stores are nice, but we try to keep it local.”
A Final Farewell—And a Bargain or Two
As part of their farewell, Pacific Heights Hardware is holding a massive clearance sale.
Shoppers can take advantage of a buy one, get one free deal on identical items, and many products—including batteries and keys—are being sold at half price.
It’s a bittersweet opportunity for locals to pick up a bargain and say goodbye to a piece of their community’s history.
So next time you need a new garden trowel, a tin of paint, or just some friendly advice, consider popping into your local hardware store. You might pay a little more, but you’ll be helping to keep a piece of your community alive.
Read next: A simple gesture of patriotism is being offered free this Memorial Day—here’s what to know
Have you seen a favorite local shop close down in recent years? Do you have fond memories of your neighbourhood hardware store? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
For many, this news is more than just the loss of a shop; it’s the loss of a community cornerstone, a place where generations have gone for everything from a single screw to a friendly chat and expert advice.
A Century of Service Comes to a Close
Pacific Heights Hardware first opened its doors in 1907, surviving two world wars, the Great Depression, and countless changes in the retail landscape.
But even a business with such a storied history isn’t immune to the challenges of the modern world.
According to staff, the decision to close was a difficult one, but ultimately unavoidable.
“We just didn’t have a lot of people coming by, and so it was just costing us more money than we were getting,” said employee Lisa Schmid.
Pacific Heights Hardware, a family-run hardware store operating since 1907, is permanently closing its doors at the end of May after struggling to generate enough revenue in recent years. Image source: NBC Bay Area / Youtube.
Despite the store’s reputation for friendly service and a carefully curated selection of goods, foot traffic simply never recovered after the pandemic.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on Local Businesses
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for many small businesses, and Pacific Heights Hardware was no exception.
When lockdowns hit, nearly all retail businesses were forced to close their doors for weeks on end. For big chains with deep pockets and robust online operations, this was a hurdle.
For small, independent shops that rely on regular, in-person customers, it was a disaster.
Also read: You might not find these popular Home Depot products soon—here’s why prices aren’t the only thing changing
Even as restrictions eased, the world had changed. More people were shopping online, and giants like Amazon and Walmart were only too happy to fill the gap.
For many, the convenience of a few clicks outweighed the charm and expertise of a local shop.
A Community Mourns the Loss
The announcement of the closure has been met with an outpouring of support from the local community.
Long-time customers have been stopping by to share memories, express their sadness, and even offer hugs to the staff.
“Since we put out the going-out-of-business sale, a lot of people have come in, and they stress how sorry they were and gave hugs,” Schmid shared.
Related story: Huge blowout sales begin–Here’s how you can score big before these 500 stores vanish forever!
Sondra Halperin, a San Francisco resident, reminisced about shopping trips to the store with her cousin.
“It’s been an icon in the neighborhood for years,” she said, praising the knowledgeable staff and the store’s unique, hand-picked inventory. “One of the reasons that San Francisco is so charming is that we do have these mom-and-pop stores that have survived and actively work to keep them in our neighborhoods and support them. Chain stores are nice, but we try to keep it local.”
A Final Farewell—And a Bargain or Two
As part of their farewell, Pacific Heights Hardware is holding a massive clearance sale.
Shoppers can take advantage of a buy one, get one free deal on identical items, and many products—including batteries and keys—are being sold at half price.
It’s a bittersweet opportunity for locals to pick up a bargain and say goodbye to a piece of their community’s history.
So next time you need a new garden trowel, a tin of paint, or just some friendly advice, consider popping into your local hardware store. You might pay a little more, but you’ll be helping to keep a piece of your community alive.
Read next: A simple gesture of patriotism is being offered free this Memorial Day—here’s what to know
Have you seen a favorite local shop close down in recent years? Do you have fond memories of your neighbourhood hardware store? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
