Lowes To Close Orchard Hardware Stores

[launderess]

Well that's that. Shame that Ace Hardware can survive but Lowes can't do same for Orchard.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-osh-closure-20180822-story.html

 

[rp2813]

Duplicate Post From The Other OSH Thread

It seems a lot of people in town have been shocked by this news.  Locals as old as their mid 80s grew up with this store -- when there was only the one on the fringe of downtown. 

 

I would like it if pressure was applied to Lowe's so they'd keep the OSH name for a particular product line in their stores and thus keep the brand and memory alive even if not in its original form.  It hasn't been in its original form for several decades, but there is a history behind it.

 

At least its punk rock anthem will live on in everlasting obscurity.

 

I couldn't possibly count the number of times I've pulled up into that same section of parking lot pictured below.

 

And P.S. -- Just as I speculated elsewhere, this decision was all about the shareholders.  We all need to start supporting private enterprise more, or every aspect of our lives will be controlled by shareholders.

 

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3eiy3Gc_rg&feature=youtu.be

 

[vacerator]

Not familiar with them.

The bottom photo shows a black Vauxhall Victor parked next to the light colored 1960-61 Ford.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I was in the ICU at Eisenhower Medical a few days ago when I came across a newspaper article announcing the demise of Orchard Supply Hardware. What a shock. I spent a good part of my working life at OSH. When I moved back to my hometown of San Jose from San Francisco I got bored staying at home. There were no jobs buying audio & video for department stores or distributors in the South Bay. I decided to go to work temporarily for Orchard's Sunnyvale store...in the plumbing department of all places. Friends asked what in the world I was doing working in a hardware store. I quickly became impressed with how professional the Company was. I also learned everything there was to know about repairing a toilet from the store's many professional customers. The Company had a second-to-none management training program. I spent  the next few years in store-line management ending up in Merchandising/Buying at the Corporate offices in South San Jose.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">During my years at OSH there were two things that stood out above all others. The first concerned the the number of high-quality people I had the pleasure to work with and work for. These people were definitely a cut above most of my coworkers from prior years. The second thing that stands out concerns the fact that everything that Orchard did was to benefit the customer. If you remembered this you were pretty much assured success with your career. Although it has been years since I've been in an OSH store, I still will miss them.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">At one time, the West San Carlos Street store carried dynamite...</span>

 

[rp2813]

There's a campaign underway and a petition on line to save the old neon sign.  Civic leaders have been contacted.

 

Since Google bought this property a few months ago, the sign belongs to them, presumably.  Google has already committed to saving the Stephen's Meats neon sign with the "dancing pig," which is also on property they scooped up as part of the swath they're buying near the train station.  No doubt Google can check their couch cushions and come up with more than enough to save both signs.

 

A letter to the editor in this morning's paper gave Lowe's a nice jab.  The writer indicated that he would go to Lowe's to relax and wander the aisles to browse without ever being bothered by anyone, then would go to customer-focused OSH to buy hardware.

 

P.S. Joe -- I hope the patient is doing OK.

 

[supersuds]

I've missed your zingy takes on things, Joe. Good to have you back!

 

[rp2813]

The boxcar that sat outside the loading area behind the main store for decades was moved to History Park a few years ago to be added to the railroad and trolley exhibit.  I haven't been out there to see what, if anything, has been done about restoring it yet.

 

 

[twintubdexter]

I'll throw this in for interest...

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">The original head of Orchard Supply Hardware was Al Smith. Aside from owning a very fast-growing and profitable store, a co-op at first, he was a train buff. For those of you familiar with Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos, you've undoubtedly seen the Park's railroad. That was courtesy of Al Smith. You vintage OSH shoppers might recall seeing a red caboose parked behind the store on West San Carlos Street. This was Al Smith's "executive" office.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">One day a guy knocked on the door and told Mr. Smith he wanted to buy the company. He apparently was dismissed as a "dreamer"...up until they realized he was Peter Grace, owner of Grace Industries, one of the world's largest shipping companies based in New York. The slightly eccentric Mr. Grace loved hardware stores. Thus began a series of acquisitions of OSH by outside companies, in most cases contributing to Orchard's rapid growth. One of Peter Grace's first moves was to learn how to drive one of Orchard's "tractors" (the truck part of  one of their many semi's) around the parking lot of the old 7th Street Distribution Center. I guess a big bank account helps you realize your boyhood dreams.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Gone too are the wonderful OSH Train Calendars given free to customers</span>

 

[rp2813]

I tossed a bunch of those train calendars when we moved a couple of months ago.  Who knew?

 

Re:  Joe's picture above, trains are again running to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, but it's on a very short line from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and they're diesels.

 

[twintubdexter]

It's all very sad...

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Yesterday the main frame computers at the OSH Corporate Offices in South San Jose where I worked as a Plumbing Buyer were turned off for the first time in over 36 years. There was a crew in the computer room 24/7 every day of the year. 4,752 people out of work, some with over 40 years of service. Thank you Lowe's.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">PS...If you're not from Northern California OSH sounds very foreign and it's understandable. This was a chain of 99 very large and complete hardware stores, much larger than an Ace or True Value but not quite big-box size (although Orchard had more SKU's that any Depot or Lowe's). It wasn't that they carried just about everything, it was that you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn't love these stores. The reason was simple, everything was geared to the customer.  I remember working on opening day at the Pleasanton store. On the way home, my brand new Cougar pooped out on the main freeway during rush-hour traffic. The cars immediately backed up for miles. When the CHP arrived they assumed I was out of gas (not the case) and were not happy. As soon as I handed him an OSH Grand Opening cap his attitude changed dramatically and I was treated like I was the Pope. He did everything he could to help me including pushing the car into the median divider, all the while singing praises for the hardware store he loved.</span>

[this post was last edited: 10/30/2018-17:58]

 

[petek]

While I love Lowes it is sad to lose some of the smaller stores. We're still somewhat fortunate around here. We had a small little indy store 1.5 mile away which moved to the shopping center closer to us. They then joined a conglomerate based in Quebec called Rona which also operated big box stores. Now Rona has been bought by Lowes but keeps the Rona stores as Rona.. Sounds very similar to OHS. The other big chain here in Canada other than Home Depot is Home Hardware, they're made up of franchised stores and we're again fortunate to have one of their small scale, variety store sized hardware stores up the street as well.. Not that the big Lowes and Home Hardwares are that far from us.. maybe 3.5 miles , 7 minutes drive in this town,, but it's nice to be able to just drive a few blocks and get most of what you need and be back home in 10 minutes.. The problem with Lowes and HD is that the stores are so big (which can be fun), but it's hard to go in there and not get tempted to go look at other enticing things,, well for me it is.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Mr. Grace brought Channel Stores to our area and man, did they sell cheap crap. The nice thing is most people only got stung once and then Channel packed up and left. I think Mr. Raygun appointed a Grace Commission to try to find waste, fraud and abuse in government, but mostly, it was in Mr. Grace's business ethics.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Once very beautiful large complete hardware stores with a nursery second to none. Now almost all empty shells. Corporate offices, once fllled with busy and happy people, now deserted. Every store had a neon interior sign, all sold to customers at $500 to $700 each.</span>

[this post was last edited: 10/30/2018-20:36]

 

[rp2813]

I'm so bummed.  Since Google owns the property that the old "main" store stood on (with a 50-year lease), they are suing Lowe's for lost revenue for that as well as the percentage of sales.   Right.  Like they they really need the money.  I think it's just Google expressing their sentiments about shutting down an institution that got its start locally, and hope they'll have fun making Lowe's squirm. 

 

Lowe's responded by shutting down the main store abruptly over a month ago, while other OSH stores were still buzzing with "everything must go" activity.  So, with my almost walking distance OSH having been closed for a few weeks, it's been a real PITA having to drive all the way to a big box and deal with that whole serve yourself scene.  I'm boycotting Lowe's, which is closer to me than Home Depot.

 

ACE is supposed to be opening up just a few blocks from us, and that can't happen soon enough.  Even the next closest OSH was way out on the east, west, or south side of town, and the nearest ACE is 8.5 miles away in Los Gatos.

 

I was at the Westgate OSH recently and it just made me sad.  I bought some weatherstripping and a garden hose nozzle for 40% off or whatever.   It was really picked over.   And Joe, you're right about the memorabilia.  They were selling small crates with the OSH logo on them for $50 just last week.  Yeah, I don't think so.  My "Club Orchard" card has since been relegated to the junk drawer.

 

FUCK Lowe's.

 

[tolivac]

Have TWO Lowes in my area-one close to me and the other on the opposite side of town.Also there are two WalMarts here.No Home Depot--it closed several years ago.Now the former HD is a Burlington Coat Factory store.Never was any Orchard Hardware near me.

 

[twintubdexter]

Wasn't your average Mom & Pop Hardware

[COLOR=#008000; font-size: 14pt]Before and after...Third photo, even though the remainder face unemployment in a few days they have high-spirits and celebrate yesterday's Halloween.[/COLOR]

[this post was last edited: 11/1/2018-14:33]

 

[rp2813]

For shame!

 

[askolover]

We don't have them here.  Lowes is right up the street and Ace is a mile or so past Lowes.  HD is 15 miles away.

 

[petek]

As if on queue Lowes yesterday announced the closing of 30 odd stores , mostly Rona versions as I mentinoned above, in Canada, along with some US stores.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The total of "under-performing" stores to be shuttered here was reported to be 51...at first count. But not to worry, Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison considers associates nothing more than chattel. He thought the same thing while running  J.C. Penney into the ground.</span>

 

[rp2813]

So True Joe!

Yeah Pete, the Lowe's CEO isn't quite done inflicting carnage.  I had a feeling you were right about Rona being next.  The nearest Lowe's to me is one of two in the Bay Area that are closing.  So not only did they kill off OSH and eliminate an easy shopping experience within walking distance, but now they've decided to close the next closest store -- one of their own!  They didn't even allow time for OSH refugees to increase sales there.   At this point, I and anyone else who lives in the center of town will have to drive into a neighboring comunity to the north or the south to reach the nearest hardware/home improvement store, both of which happen to be Home Depot.

 

This genius (NOT) CEO won't be with Lowe's for long.  His Apple Store style revamp of Penney's was a disaster.  Why anybody on Lowe's Board voted to bring him on is one of life's great mysteries, and they are likely regretting it now.  Caving under shareholder pressure isn't always the right choice.

 

Fortunately, there's a "coming soon" sign in the window where ACE will be opening up a new store a few blocks from me before the end of the year.  That will be my go-to store for anything that doesn't need to be hauled home in a truck.

 

[good-shepherd]

ACE will be opening up a new store a few blocks from me

If that ACE is anything like the one they opened nearby me get ready to dig deep at the cash register, prices are sky high gouging the locals in a not so wealthy town.

 

[rp2813]

Prices definitely vary from ACE to ACE. 

 

The Los Gatos ACE that I've been frequenting since 1990 has prices that are right in line with or even lower than OSH or the big boxes.  Another ACE that recently closed due to a rent increase had generally higher prices over all.  They even raised the "original" prices on some of their discounted inventory during their GOB sale.  Not good, and I'm not sad about that particular store being gone.

 

I'm willing to pay a little more for the convenience factor of having an ACE within walking distance.  The big boxes are too far and way too time consuming to trek through when all I need is a twin-pack of metal mesh lint socks for the end of the Neptune's drain hose, or to have an extra key made.

 

[launderess]

I'll Second That

Local Ace/True Value hardware has better prices and decent enough selection than anything else in area. Probably next best choice would be the large Home Depot down near Bloomingdales.

 

[supersuds]

Ron Johnson was the Apple genius that tried to make JC Penney over in Apple’s image. Ellison was called in to clean up the damage, after a brief interregnum by former Penney chairman Mike Ullmann.

Ellison’s decision to leave JCP was probably a sign that he thinks Penneys is beyond saving. Anyway...”lucky” Lowe’s has him now.

Another happy Ace customer here.

 

[rp2813]

The Sign Is AWOL!

An article in today's paper reports that the vintage 1948 neon sign (also pictured in Joe's post upthread) has disappeared.  Only the mast remains.  Nobody knows who took it down, but presumably it happened under cover of darkness (which coincidentally comes earlier as of this past Sunday).  It had to weigh a ton and it would have required a larger than average truck to haul it off.

 

The Historic Landmarks Commission, Preservation Action Council and History Park had all expressed interest in the sign, and Google had indicated that they'd like to see it saved. 

 

One of our civic leaders has put the message out to Google, Lowe's and Hilco, the firm that handled the OSH liquidation sale, asking for information on the sign's whereabouts.

 

This just goes to show how much OSH meant to this town where it got its start in 1931.

 

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/11...age-sign-has-disappeared-from-san-jose-store/