Independent hardware store to close permanently as April deadline nears A small, independently owned hardware store in Franklin, Tennessee, will shut its doors on April 1 after years of struggling against larger retail chains and online competitors. Harpeth True Value Home Center, part of the True Value cooperative, has announced its closure, joining other locations in the chain that have faced similar challenges. The decision was shared on social media, where the store highlighted the difficulties of maintaining a small business in an increasingly competitive market dominated by giants like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon. Owner Mike Outlaw attributed the closure to a significant decline in the store’s lumber business, which accounted for 70% to 80% of its sales. Despite efforts to sell the business to potential buyers, no agreement was reached. Outlaw expressed regret over the decision, stating it was made after extensive discussions and a desire to find alternative solutions. “This is the last thing I wanted to do: close the business,” he said. The closure reflects broader trends in the retail sector, where independent stores and traditional brick-and-mortar businesses have faced mounting pressure from e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences. The “retail apocalypse,” a term used to describe the widespread closures of physical stores, has accelerated since the 2010s, with the pandemic exacerbating the decline. In 2025 alone, experts predicted over 15,000 store closures—more than double the number seen in 2024. Major retailers have also been affected, with chains like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Forever 21 closing hundreds of locations. Specialty stores such as Joann and Party City, as well as drugstores like Walgreens and CVS, have similarly scaled back operations.#harpett_true_value_home_center #mike_outlaw #true_value_cooperative #franklin_tennessee #home_depot
