Old-fashioned hardware store closing after 80 years

<p>Eight decades is a long time to be in business.</p><p>But Hutchinson's Hardware store in downtown Senoia, Ga., sold a little more than hammers and bolts to customers over the years. It was a gathering place for the 3,000 people of the Coweta County town, where neighbors swapped gossip and caught up with each other's lives.</p><p>The store closed its doors last weekend after nearly 80 years.</p><p>Jimmy Hutchinson, 71, who has run the store since 1956, wants to take it easy and spend time with his wife and grandchildren. His 40-year-old son wants to focus on selling real estate rather than running the family store.</p><p>"I'm looking forward to not having to punch the clock," the elder Hutchinson said.</p><p>Over the weekend, residents stopped by to troll the store's crowded aisles. They were in search of nostalgia as much as they were in search for deals on the deeply discounted merchandise.</p><p>David Bishop, 50, said he's had an account at Hutchinson's since he was 15.</p><p>"I come by here once of twice a week just to holler at Mr. Jimmy," Bishop said, perusing the tools for one last time.</p><p>After months of selling off inventory, the store still had a variety of items left during the weekend. An unused wooden washing machine from 1922. Screen wire. Fishing tackle. Watches. Fan belts.</p><p>The family plans to hold an auction at the store on Nov. 4 to sell off any items that remain after Saturday's closing.</p><p>Despite competition from larger, more modern hardware stores, Hutchinson's had a charm that kept customers coming back year after year. Gill-Roy's Hardware opened five miles away in 1981, and Home Depot set up shop four years ago in nearby Peachtree City.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cdbf78)</p>