True Value Hardware in Yelm, a longtime family-run business, is set to close as a result of the slower economy, owner Scott Demich said Tuesday.
The business has been in the Demich family since 1941, beginning with Scott’s grandfather, Charles, followed by Scott’s father, Ron. Scott and his father began working together in 1991.
True Value Hardware is at 207 E. Yelm Ave.
Although the Walmart store in Yelm made a dent in business at the hardware store, it was the overall state of the economy that finally spelled the end for the business, Scott Demich said.
“It’s been a steady decline,” he said. The decision to close the business, however, which will take place in the next 30 to 60 days, is somewhat of a relief, Demich said, because he no longer will have to put up with the struggles of keeping a business alive.
“You can only patch holes for so long,” he said. The store will close once it has sold out of its remaining inventory.
Scott’s son, stepson and one full-time employee will lose their jobs as a result of the closure. Demich, 42, will have to look for work, too, he said.
Demich said he’d consider running a business again.
“If it was the right setup and right overhead, I would do it again,” he said.
The family owns the building, he said, so they can either sell or put the building up for lease.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403 rboone@theolympian.com theolympian.com/bizblog
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