Harper Hardware Co., a Richmond institution for more than 113 years, is closing its store and discontinuing its retail operations.
Owner Charles Harper III said Tuesday that he has sold the building at 18th and East Broad streets that has housed the business since 1981. He plans to reopen this year in a different location serving only commercial and industrial clients.
"A lot of people are going to be surprised. There are thousands of people who have shopped here," he said.
But Harper decided that it was time to take the company in a new direction.
Changing the focus of the business founded by his great-grandfather is a difficult proposition, he said.
"I was told this is the oldest hardware store east of the Mississippi that's owned by the same family," Harper said.
The business was founded in 1898 by C.B. Harper Sr., who opened C.B. Harper Hardware Co. at 510 E. Marshall St.
The business stayed at that location until 1981, when it moved to its current 10,000-square-foot store to make way for the 6th Street Marketplace and related nearby developments. The rear part of the Richmond Marriott hotel is where the family business once operated, Harper said.
The Harper Hardware store has been a mainstay in Richmond, selling tools, lawn and garden equipment, janitorial supplies and lighting. The store is one of the few places in the Richmond area where people can have chairs recaned.
The company is among the latest longtime family-owned businesses to see changes in the past few years. Several well-known names have moved, changed their business models or simply gone away, including Ukrop's Super Markets, Lakeside Appliance, Circuit City Stores Inc. and S&K Famous Brands Inc.
"I hate to see any company like this go," said James T. Hatcher III, president of Pleasants Hardware and the third generation of Hatcher's family to run the 95-year-old company.
Hatcher said over the years the two companies haven't had much interaction, but that he's "heard nothing but great things about them."
"You feel camaraderie and empathy," he said.
The location of Harper Hardware's new venture hasn't been chosen, but Harper said Tuesday that he's leaning toward space near Hanover County Airport.
Harper has looked at about 30 spaces throughout the Richmond area.
To facilitate the move, Harper Hardware begins a seven-day invitation-only liquidation sale Thursday morning. The sale will then open to the public.
Harper expects to sell off all the inventory, fixtures and furniture in about six weeks.
"It is our way of thanking you for 113 wonderful years of business and friendship," a letter signed by the Harper family sent to customers this week said of the advance sale.
He would not disclose how much the building sold for or what would replace Harper Hardware.
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