PAOLI — After 72 years, a long-standing local business called The Hardware Center is shutting its doors. The Hardware Center — is closing.
The original Paoli Hardware store opened in 1951, and the current owners, Steve and Greg Scartozzi's father, Cordine Scartozzi, initially ran it before relocating to Paoli Shopping Center.
After the store's final day on June 3, 72-year-old Steve Scartozzi and several long-time employees will retire, while others are looking for new jobs.
The 15,000-square-foot, three-story store's closure is bittersweet for Scartozzi, who plans to spend more time with his grandchildren and watch them play sports.
During a recent interview, Scartozzi discussed the satisfaction of working with the public and serving multiple generations of a builder's family.
Scartozzi expressed his deep connection to the community where he has lived almost his entire life, apart from his time at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.
“People in this area tend to stay around,” he noted.
Scartozzi discovered his passion for this work at a young age.
“I always wanted to do this,” he said. “This is the community where I grew up.
“I enjoy building relationships and helping people. I have no issue communicating with the public and looking after people.
“We've formed numerous relationships — we are like one big family. Once it's over, I should be able to relax.”
Scartozzi reminisced about carving his initials into wood at the store when he was just 13 years old.
Providing good service is important; a staff member will guide a customer with a question to the specific item on the shelf.
Scartozzi compared his store to what he called box stores.
“We don’t simply tell people to go to aisle five,” he stated. Scartozzi also mentioned his satisfaction in selling a simple 40-cent nut or bolt.
The Scartozzi-owned store has three floors, with toys and a children’s section on the top floor, hardware on the ground floor, and the garden department in the basement.
Until recently, a cashier would wrap toys as a complimentary service.
“We always aim to have high-quality toys that can be passed down through generations,” he said. “We try to avoid selling low-quality items.”
Bebe Feimster works at the counter in the toy department and mentioned that customers and employees feel like one big family.
She noted that children often become excited and many are reluctant to leave when it's time to go.
“It’s a enjoyable place to be,” she said. “It’s the fun floor.”
Starting in the fall, the basement was recognized by Scartozzi as the best Christmas place in the area. Some realistic-looking Christmas trees with integrated lights even sell for $3,000 to $4,000.
A number of potential buyers expressed interest in taking over the hardware store in the last 3½ years, but it did not get sold.
Phil Ghaner has been employed part-time at The Hardware Center for 54 years.
He particularly likes helping widows and older people.
“I enjoy taking care of them,” he said. “It's satisfying to assist someone.”
Mike DiAndrea has spent 10 years working on each of the three floors during his 30-year career.
“It's a crucial part of the community,” he said about the store. “People come to us because we are willing to help them with small things.
“There is a lot of knowledge here. I learn something from these guys three times a week.”
