Home Depot Rival Closing Hardware Chain Stores

You are knee deep in a weekend project, hunting for that one obscure bolt or a can of paint that matches your grandma’s old kitchen cabinets. You head to your trusty local hardware spot, the one where the guy behind the counter knows your name and your usual coffee order. But lately, those signs of “Going Out of Business” keep popping up like uninvited weeds in your garden bed. It’s hitting close to home literally. As of late 2026, several home depot rival closing, especially smaller chains and independents under banners like Ace Hardware and True Value, are shuttering stores left and right. Jerry’s Hardware & Rental just announced closures for two Minnesota spots, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Why is Hardware Chains Stores

Let’s face it running a hardware store isn’t like flipping burgers. It’s a grind of stocking everything from screwdrivers to snow blowers, all while hoping the weather cooperates for those outdoor sales. But in 2026, the hardware world feels more like a demolition derby than a cozy workshop. Big players like Home Depot and Lowe’s gobble up about 46% of the market pie, according to recent sales trackers. Amazon? It’s snagging nearly 12%, delivering that drill bit faster than you can say “two-day shipping.” Smaller chains, the ones that feel like your neighborhood’s unofficial therapist for busted faucets, are getting squeezed out.

Take the economy it’s not exactly handing out gold stars. Home sales dipped because mortgage rates hovered around 7%, making folks think twice about that dream reno. Renovations slowed too; why splurge on new flooring when you’re pinching pennies for groceries, I remember chatting with a store owner last summer who joked, “My customers used to come in for ‘just a quick fix.’ Now it’s ‘What’s the cheapest way to patch this hole'” It’s real, and it’s raw. These closures aren’t just numbers; they’re families who’ve poured decades into their communities, only to watch foot traffic fade like an old varnish job.

Spotlight on Jerry’s The 50-Year-Old Chain Saying Farewell

If there’s one story that tugs at the heartstrings this year, it’s Jerry’s Hardware & Rental. This Minnesota gem, part of the Do It Best cooperative, has been around since the ’70s—long enough to outlast bell-bottoms and disco. Owned by Jerry’s Enterprises (yeah, the same folks behind those Cub grocery stores), it rents out tools for everything from tillers to party tents. Their Maple Grove and St. Louis Park locations will flip the “Closed” sign for good. Why? The owners couldn’t find a buyer, and with demand for home tweaks tanking, it just didn’t pencil out.

Picture the scene: Shelves full of power tools gathering dust, loyal customers sharing stories over the last bag of mulch. It’s bittersweet—Jerry’s isn’t vanishing entirely, but losing these spots means fewer options for quick grabs in the Twin Cities. And here’s a kicker not every headline mentions: These stores doubled as community hubs, hosting DIY workshops for kids and even free tool sharpening for seniors. Without them, that neighborly vibe takes a hit. If you’re local, swing by before it’s too late; their clearance sales could save you a bundle on winter gear.

Ace Hardware Rocky Road

Ace Hardware might ring a bell as the “helpful place,” but even they can’t dodge the drama in 2026. Sure, the co-op as a whole is chugging along with billions in sales, but individual stores? Oof. Carnation Ace in Washington wrapped up 56 years on October 25, citing the usual suspects: big-box competition and online ease. Then there’s Wyoming Ace in Rhode Island, a family-run spot since 2003, handing over keys to Aubuchon Hardware for a fresh start in a bigger space. It’s a sale, not a full goodbye, but it stings when you think about the retirement dreams behind it.

Don’t get me started on Sussex Ace in Wisconsin—33 years down the drain after financial woes piled up like unsold snow shovels. The LeDonne family, who built it from scratch, launched a “Save Sussex Ace” campaign, begging for donations to cover debts and keep their Milwaukee spot afloat. It’s like watching your favorite uncle haggle over a bad hand at poker; you root for the comeback, but the odds feel stacked. What sets Ace apart? Their stores often feel more like a chatty general store than a warehouse. Owners stock quirky locals-only items, like custom bird feeders for that one obsessive neighbor. Losing these means more treks to the mega-stores, where the staff might as well be robots reciting barcodes.

True Value Tough Year From Bankruptcy Blues to Branch Closures

Ah, True Value the co-op that’s supplied 4,500 independents since the ’40s. They hit a wall in 2024 with Chapter 11 bankruptcy, selling out to Do It Best by year’s end. Stores stayed open, but the ripple? Brutal. Ritter’s True Value in Pennsylvania, a four-generation labor of love since 1908, locked up on September 30 after 117 years. The owner teared up, saying, “We fought the good fight, but the big guys won.” Then Kreuger’s in Wisconsin, founded in 1866—159 years of history started liquidating in July, aiming to wrap by November. It’s like closing a museum exhibit nobody knew they needed until it’s gone.

And it’s not stopping there. Peter’s True Value in Michigan bowed out by September’s end, evolving from a feed store in the 1880s to a hardware haven. Customers mourned the loss of that “whatever you need, we’ve got it” magic. True Value’s downfall? A cash crunch from picky shoppers and stalled housing. Post-sale, Do It Best is streamlining, which might mean more consolidations. New angle here: Some stores are pivoting to “True Value by Do It Best” branding, blending inventories for hybrid shops. It’s innovative, but will it capture that Doubtful nothing beats the creaky floorboards of a spot that’s seen three wars and countless leaky roofs.

Home Depot and Lowe in the Spotlight

While rivals tumble, home depot rival closing and Lowe’s, They’re like that one friend who thrives in chaos. Home Depot snagged 29% market share in Q3 2026, with Lowe’s at 17%. They’re expanding aisles for quick-pickup zones and even testing robot shelves fancy, But here’s the human side: These chains offer perks like rental fleets that dwarf what Jerry’s could do, and apps that let you reserve items without the hassle.

Still, it’s not all high-fives. Even they feel the pinch; sales dipped post-pandemic boom. Lowe’s joked in earnings calls about “cautious consumers,” which is code for “everyone’s fixing the old stuff instead of buying new.” If you’re ditching the locals, hit these spots for bulk buys, but don’t sleep on their community classes they’re trying to fill that neighborly gap, even if it’s with a corporate smile.

Wrapping It Up

We have walked through the heartaches of these home depot rival closing, from Jerry’s farewell to True Value’s shake-up. It’s a reminder that change stinks sometimes, like paint thinner on a hot day. But communities adapt, and so can you with smarter shopping and a nod to the little guys still standing. What’s your, Drop a comment if a local spot’s closing near you; maybe we can share fixes. Until next time, keep building your way.

FAQs

Q: Why are so many small hardware chains closing in 2026?

It’s a mix of big competition from home depot rival closing and online giants, plus slower home sales due to high interest rates. Folks are fixing, not fancying up, their spaces right now.

Q: Will all Ace Hardware stores shut down?

The co-op’s strong overall, but some independents like Carnation and Sussex are closing due to local struggles. Most will stick around.

Q: What happens to True Value after the bankruptcy?

They sold to Do It Best, so stores stay open under new branding. It’s more like a team switch than a full benching.

Q: Are there any good deals from these closing stores?

Absolutely hit up liquidation sales for 30-70% off. Just check dates; Jerry’s wraps December 31.

Q: Can I still find unique items if my local rival closes?

Try home depot rival closing specialty sections or online co-ops. And support survivors they’re hustling to keep that personal touch alive.