SCRANTON -- Last week, we told you a longtime hardware store in Scranton could be grinding to a halt. But, now we've learned, after our story aired about Scranton Grinder and Hardware, someone has decided to buy it and keep it going.
We talked to one of the new owners who says the place is here to stay.
The Scranton Grinder and Hardware store is one of the few independent hardware shops left in the city and it has deep roots in Lackawanna County. It got its start in a basement in 1921, and over the years, has grown into what some people call their go-to hardware store.
"They still carry a better variety of, it's like the old store concept, you know? They carry more than the chain stores," said Jerry Wozniak of Old Forge.
Just a few days ago, the owner, Joseph Ferrari, told Newswatch16 he planned to close the store by November 21 unless somebody came forward to buy it
Luckily, that somebody just happens to be Darwin Shoener.
Shoener's no stranger to business. He's worked in electronics and chemistry. Shoener is now happy to take over the hardware store and its employees.
"That's a big deal. You got a bunch of people here that are counted on for a long time. He's done a great job and I hope that I can continue as well as he did," said Shoener.
"I was just talking about how disappointing it was to hear that they were closing, but now we're so happy that it's reopening," said Regina Mansour of Scranton.
Business owners in the area who use Scranton Grinder are happy to see that this place is staying open.
Mark Dixon stops at Scranton Grinder often for his line of work, so he's happy this hardware shop is staying put.
"I have 30 small motors that I take care of, so just about everything. Just bought another one off of them today off of them again."
Joseph Ferrari says he'll miss the shop, but he's happy to know someone else wants to take over and keep it what it's been for all these years.
"It would break my heart to close the store. I'm serious. We've worked here so hard and so long and there's so much inventory and so much grinding machines and lawn mower repairs and tractor repairs it has to go this way. This is the only way to do it," Ferrari said.
The new owner of Scranton Grinder says not much will change now that he's taking over. The one change he hopes to make is opening on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. so people can shop after church.