MIDDLETOWN >> After a week of digesting the tragic loss of Hardester’s Market & Hardware in Middletown, owners and staff have shared their hopes for the future, most recently revealing efforts to open a temporary hardware store.
“Our next order of business is to begin the planning efforts to rebuild the Middletown store as soon as possible. We look forward to the day when we can once again serve the community in our Middletown area,” Harper said.
But in the immediate future, the making of a smaller scale hardware store is in the planning stages, according to Middletown general manager Duane Harper. It is estimated the business may open to the public within the next two months in Hardester’s existing lumber yard building.
In a statement, Harper said that all resources to attend the needs of about 80 employees were put to work. Since the fire last Monday afternoon, the community has shown “incredible” support by shopping at the Hardester’s Market in Hidden Valley Lake and Cobb.
Harper added:
“As we begin our recovery from the catastrophic fire that consumed our Middletown store on Memorial day, we feel deep appreciation for the concern and support from our community. The reality of the loss of our Middletown store and especially the impact this loss has on our Middletown store employees is heartbreaking. We are grateful to all the first responders who worked so hard to try and save our business. Regretfully, two of them suffered injuries as a result of their actions. We sincerely wish them a speedy recovery and heartfelt gratitude…We are looking forward to a bright future with a new Hardester’s store to serve our wonderful community.”
The complete statement is available online at the Hardester’s Market website at www.hardestersmarkets.com/.
