With a property sale reportedly in the works, 66-year-old Bess Hardware will close

A local fixture since the 1960s, Bess Hardware is planning to shut business down in October, according to signage posted on the store at 1875 Willow Road in Northfield.

In a note on Bess’ front doors, a message also posted to social media on Saturday, Sept. 19, management wrote the final day for Bess Hardware is yet to be determined but will be in “mid-to-late October.”

“It has been an absolute honor serving as your neighborhood hardware and sports headquarters here,” the message reads. “… We are incredibly grateful for the trust, loyalty, and memories this community has shared with us over the years.”

The Record’s attempts to reach Bess Hardware ownership, led by Art Bess, were unsuccessful as of press time (Monday, Sept. 21).

According to the store’s Facebook page, Bess Hardware was founded in 1960 and soon after opened its Northfield store.

Northfield Village Manager Patrick Brennan said town officials also found out about the store closing via signs around the building at 1875 Willow Road.

“They have been a longtime business here … and we hate to see them close up shop,” said Brennan, who added that Bess Hardware was recently in talks with a buyer for the property.

An assistant manager at the store, Xander Chambers, told The Record that business at Bess was underwhelming in recent months and ownership believed it was “a good time to sell” the property — a transaction Chambers said is not yet official.

Chambers said that since the closure announcement, Bess Hardware customers have come in and expressed their disappointment.

“People are livid over this. They are not happy,” he said. “This hardware store has been here for 60 or 70 years. Customers are finding out, coming in and telling us they come here instead of Ace. The neighborhood is upset about us going.”

With the pending closure, Bess Hardware is holding a liquidation sale at 20% off storewide — 30% off if customers pay with cash, Chambers said.

The store’s new hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday,

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