OXFORD – In hopes of keeping the doors open on a staple storefront in downtown Oxford, the new owners of Canal Street Hardware are getting the word out that they’ve taken over the business and aim to keep it open.
New owners Jan Ireland and Rick Warner officially took reins of the business last week. As semi-retired dairy farmers, they know some of the ropes of business ownership, said Ireland, but there’s plenty of room to learn more.
“This has definitely been a learning experience for us ... A lot of little local businesses have been very supportive of us, and a lot of the community have been a big help too,” Ireland said. “People are tickled pink that this business is still open and they’ve been very accommodating of us as we learn.”
Ireland and Warner made a decision to buy the business upon the retirement of former business owner Ken Ryan, who kept the shelves of the hardware store stocked for more than 30 years.
“He had been suggesting he was going to sell the business for years. When it came to the point where he was ready, we were ready to step in,” Ireland said. “He’s been very helpful to us with the transition.”
Ireland and Warner added that their decision to buy was partially influenced by the closing of many local small hardware stores that couldn’t compete with big box retailers the likes of Lowes and Home Depot. The hope, Ireland explained, is to offer the same products as those bigger names, but with more personable customer service. The two are even willing to take post business hours calls from customers who need an item in a pinch.
“We have been on the farming end, so we know what it’s like when things break at 3 a.m. and you need something ASAP,” she added. “And if we don’t have something here, we can usually get it quickly.”
With new owners comes new business hours. Canal Street Hardware is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For additional information, call the business line at 843-6929, or the owners’ cell number at 343-3788.