After 88 years of operation, a hardware store in San Francisco’s West Portal is closing.
Papenhausen Hardware announced that it could no longer afford to remain in business.
29 years ago, when Karl Aguilar was a jobless student at San Francisco State University, he entered this hardware store. However, Aguilar assumed he would retire there after becoming a co-owner in 2018.
According to Aguilar, the shutdown was caused by a number of factors, including two fires and the pandemic, which significantly impacted his business. He calculates that during the first year of the pandemic, sales fell by roughly 30%.
“By the second year, we realized it was time to sell and all of the emotional side of it,” Aguilar stated. “What can we do, all the questioning, the sleepless nights happened then.”
The closing sale of Papenhausen Hardware began on Saturday. As consumers stop by for their last visit to their neighborhood hardware shop, many of the shelves are now empty.
Matt Rogers, co-owner of Papenhausen Hardware, stated, “We felt there would be an increase in business but it’s just been this crushing avalanche of nonstop business for four days now.” It’s impressive, then. Really touching as well.
“It’s been overwhelming in a good way?” Aguilar went on. “The neighborhood is extremely distressed. The financial fact is that we just cannot stay, even though they wish it weren’t the case and others have come out of the woods to try to think of methods to keep us here.”
This store has been a staple in the West Portal area for 88 years, providing basic hardware supplies to generations of families.
Lee Bradley, one of the customers, expressed how much the community has lost as a result of the closure.
The news was “terrible news really,” Bradley added. Devastation. It’s all about the convenience. It’s convenient to have a store nearby where you may buy small items. Anything you desired.
But as customers shopping habits have changed after the pandemic, Papenhausen isn’t the only one struggling to keep its doors open.
Aguilar hopes people realize how important community support is to keep small businesses open.
“The one thing people should take from this is whether it be a bookstore, or a coffee shop or maybe a fabric store that you love,” he stated. “I can assure you that they are having difficulties. If you want to see them there, you can support them and every dollar makes a difference.”
Although Papenhausen Hardware is set to close on December 31st, they may close early if they run out of merchandise.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.