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Beloved hardware store to shut down after more than 100 years in business
A popular New Jersey hardware store will close its doors after more than 100 years in business.
Saunders Hardware in Montclair has been open on Valley Road since 1893, but after 131 years of business, the store's owner, Tom Vultee, will retire.
After failing to find someone to buy the mom-and-pop shop, Vultee sold the building and is in the process of clearing out 177,000 items from the store's inventory.
Besides selling an array of hardware, many locals in town know the store for being a warm and inviting place that has helped shape the North Jersey town.
'It's the interaction- the personal interaction, the discovery. The fact that there are people you can actually talk to,' Julian, one of many Saunders' customers, told PIX11.
Saunders Hardware in Montclair, New Jersey will be closing after the owner, Tom Vultee, decided to retire. The store has been open for 131 years
Vultee has long been the heart of the store as customers revealed that they frequently go there to speak with him and catch up
Vultee has long been the heart of the store as customers revealed that they frequently go there to speak with him and catch up.
'Everybody knows him. It's sad to see him go,' Brian White, another long-time customer said.
White joined Vultee in the shop on Friday as they hugged and the owner got emotional.
'He's an old friend. He's just as special as every other old friend that's come into the hardware store,' Vultee said.
'It brings a tear to my eye,' he added as he wiped his face.
Vultee revealed that the recent death of a long-time employee, Rob Howard, is what really drove him to close up the shop.
'Very emotional. It was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back as to you know, "What am I doing here?" I should be spending time with my family,' Vultee said.
A picture of Howard was seen hanging up inside the store along with other items in memory of the employee who worked at the store for the past 24 years.
As the end of the store draws near, Vultee has made arrangements with the new buyer to keep it open for some time to try and clear out the inventory.
Vultee is seen hugging a long-time customer and friend, Brian White on Friday as he got emotional about the news
Vultee revealed that the recent death of a long-time employee, Rob Howard, is what really drove him to close up the shop. (picture: A small memorial set up in the shop for Howard)
Any items that are left will be donated to the homebuilding non-profit, Habitat for Humanity .
'They benefit, they get to take care of people,' Vultee said.
Everything at the store has been marked down to 30 percent off, as Vultee said that his hardware store has always had what everybody needs.
'I still have guys that have been here for 20 years, and they say, "Do you have that?" And I tell them where it is, and they'll say, "I didn't know we had that",' Vultee said.
After word about the closing got around, heartbroken locals and customers flocked to social media to say farewell to the store and to Vultee.
'Oh no! We rely on these guys and it’s been awesome to have them in our plaza,' one wrote.
Everything at the store has been marked down to 30 percent off in an effort to clear out 177,000 items from the stores inventory. Whatever isn't sold will be donated to a non-profit
Another said: 'Saunders is a true institution for Montclair. I love going in there, everyone is so helpful and always have a positive attitude.'
'I remember going in here with my parents when I was a child,' another person wrote.
Montclair is known for being a small, affluent suburb, filled with small shops like Saunder's, well-known restaurants, parks and the public college, Montclair State University.
The average cost of a home in the town is approximately $988,800, according to PODS.
With a population of more than 39,700, and 6.3 square-miles, the town is known for its walkable space to small businesses and local retailers.