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NEWS
C.M. Love to close after 100 years
Brian Agee, left, is assisted by Mike Sexton as he shops at C.M. Love Hardware on Thursday, March 4, 2010, in Huntington.
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HUNTINGTON -- C.M. Love & Co. Hardware, a part of downtown Huntington for 100 years, will close its doors in April, the owners said Thursday.
In a prepared release, owners Gary and Nancy Pommerenck said they decided to sell out their remaining lease so that Campbell Woods PLLC can renovate and occupy all three levels of the building at 1002 3rd Ave. The Huntington law firm currently occupies the eighth, ninth and 10th floors of the Guaranty Bank Building, 517 9th St.
Customers shopping at the hardware store on Thursday were surprised by the news.
"When I want something special for someone, I've always come here," said Sue Wills of Huntington. "There isn't any other place to get unique gifts like what they have here."
Wills said she's bought items such as craft or decorative pieces from the store for 40 years.
"I don't know where I'll shop now. It's just such a wonderful place," Wills added.
C.M. Love & Co. Hardware was established in 1910 by Charles Marion Love as a 20-foot-wide storefront, also on 3rd Avenue. His mission was to provide better housewares, hardware and customer service to people in the Tri-State, according to the release.
Brian Agee, an investment broker in Huntington, said he's been coming to the store since he was a kid with his father. Now as an adult, Agee said he's purchased everything from lawnmowers and tools to paint and home construction products at Love's.
"I'm sorry to see it go because it's a great place for me to stop on my way home when I've got a project," Agee said. "It's sad to see them go."
Jim Pine of Huntington stopped by the hardware store to pick up a few things on Thursday and was disappointed to find out about the closing. Before working for the Tri-State Transit Authority, Pine said he installed fences for the hardware store more than 40 years ago. He installed fences for about 10 years then decided to do it on his own.
Pine said C.M. Love employees have always been dedicated to their jobs, many of them working there for more than 20 years. He hoped the employees, who declined comment on Thursday, will land on their feet when the shop closes.
"They're a good bunch of people," Pine said. "I hate to see them closing."
Agee echoed Pine's sentiments, "There are good people here, and they've become friends."
In the prepared release, the Pommerencks thanked their loyal employees, past and present, for their hard work and sincere interest in taking care of the needs of the customers.
All products, fixtures and equipment will be liquidated during a brief closeout sale beginning Saturday, March 6, and ending when the last items and fixtures are sold. All sales will be final.
