Connecticut hardware store closes

Village Hardware, a longtime business in Southport, Conn., closed its doors in February, according to the Fairfield Weekly newspaper.

Village Hardware was one of about a dozen downtown stores that created a quaint village atmosphere in Southport. Glenn Oesterle, who ran the business for 24 years, attributed the closing to competition from big-box chains and the sluggish economy.

In addition to running the hardware store, Oesterle used to act as a local handyman, making house calls to local residents.

Southport residents are known for their efforts to keep chain stores out of the town. There had been a hardware store in the village for more than 100 years, the article said.