The Hitching Post to Reopen in September

The Hitching Post had to close in order for the M.F. Charles building renovations to be completed, but owner Leslie Leahy hopes that the store will be ready for a grand reopening in September.

The store will remain in the same location as always, 190 Haven St., but the interior will “look very different.” The store will be about the same size, but will have a second entrance in the back. Leahy is excited about this entrance because it will be handicapped accessible. The old door made it difficult for anyone with a disability to access the store, she said.

There will be new doors and windows and even some new products at the new Hitching Post. However, Leahy still plans to concentrate on local artists and made in America products, she said. She will stick with her best sellers and greeting cards, which are “a staple of the store,” she said. The town of Reading section will also be part of the new store, and she is always looking to expand that.

Leahy had mixed feelings about closing the store. She is pleased that the renovations will eliminate old problems like heating and air conditioning issues and leaks. 

“When the building is done, it’s going to be a cornerstone of Reading center and it’s exciting to be part of that,” Leahy said.

However, she is not happy that she had to close her business temporarily, but says customers have been supportive. She has been staying in touch with some customers and even delivering products locally.

“It’s nice to know that we haven’t been forgotten,” she said.

If you would like to purchase something from the Hitching Post, visit their website to see the products they carry and then call the store number 781-944-9224. If possible, Leahy will order the item and have it delivered directly to you, or she will deliver locally.

She is still unsure of the exact opening date, but the latest update from contractors indicated that the building will be ready in September, she said. She will have a booth at the Fall Street Faire and a grand re-opening celebration when the time comes.