Chelsea Village Hardware Closes Doors; Owners Cite Slow Economy

A longtime Chelsea business has called it quits, citing a slow economy and sales in recent months.

Chelsea Village Hardware closed its doors on Main Street on Jan. 5.

"After 40 years in the hardware business and working at the same location (11 years owning it) it was a very, very hard decision to have to close forever," owner Tom Clemons said in a written statement. "It was a dream and a pleasure to have served so many loyal people to which I say, thank you for the opportunity."

City Manager John Hanifan expressed regret with the business' closure.

"Village Hardware's closing is upsetting, but it's the start of a new year for many of our businesses," Hanifan said. "We hate to lose a member of the business community, but there are some positive things in the works for our city."

The Chelsea Alehouse opened on Jan. 3, and Barbecue 52, a new downtown restaurant, is scheduled to open later this year.