Connecticut store to close

Newton Hardware, a fixture in New Britain, Conn., for 31 years, is closing its doors. A liquidation sale that began in September is expected to conclude by the end of this month. Owners Al and Linda Brown, interviewed in The New Britain Herald, said they’re ready to retire.

In addition to a full hardware and tools assortment, and specialty items such as canning supplies and bat houses, Newton Hardware sold and serviced outdoor power equipment. Brown performed all the repairs himself, including a free oil change on new lawnmowers he sold after five hours of use.

“It created metal chips in the engine after that first time,” Brown explained. “I wanted the machine to last them a lot of years.”

Brown’s personal best, in terms of repair records, was following a snowstorm three years ago; he fixed 20 broken snow blowers in three days. “I’m 75 years old now,” Brown told The Herald. “Working those kind of hours, doing the job of four people, it’s time to retire.”