The future is uncertain for the last main street hardware store on Martha’s Vineyard. The building that houses Phillips Hardware on Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs was listed for sale by the owners on March 15, with an asking price of $2.9 million.
The future is uncertain for the last main street hardware store on Martha’s Vineyard.
Future is uncertain for last main street hardware store on the Vineyard.
Future is uncertain for last main street hardware store on the Vineyard.
The building that houses Phillips Hardware on Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs was listed for sale by the owners on March 15.
The asking price is $2.9 million. The hardware store business is not included in the sale.
The family-owned hardware store was founded 94 years ago by the Phillips family and has long been an anchor store in the heart of downtown Oak Bluffs, selling a varietry of tools, electrical supplies and home goods.
The 5,100-square-foot commercial building sits on a 6,500 square foot lot at 30 Circuit avenue.
Speaking to the Gazette in the hardware store lobby Monday, owners Donna Leon and Susan Phillips, who are sisters, said the decision to sell the property has been emotional.
“We haven’t taken this decision lightly,” Ms. Leon said.
The property is assessed at $1.83 million, with the land assessed at $1.12 million and the one-story brick building at $706,000, according to the property listing in LINK, the Island multiple listing service.
Family owned for 94 years.
Family owned for 94 years.
The building was approved for a complete rebuild by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission in 2016, when the owners planned to raze the property and replace it with a nearly 18,000-square-foot, three-story building.
Ms. Leon and Ms. Phillips had planned to use the newly constructed space above the hardware store to build apartments and workforce housing.
But the project faced years of municipal hurdles, including zoning obstacles, and more recently supply chain delays and a legal challenge, the owners said, prompting the decision to put the building on the market.
“After five years we just decided that it wasn’t going to work that way,” Ms. Leon said.
Ms. Leon and Ms. Phillips said they hoped to stay on as a tenant and keep the hardware business open, but that will depend on the buyer. And if Phillips Hardware ceases to exist, the owners said they hoped another hardware store would take its place.
Since the property was placed on the market last Tuesday, two potential buyers have expressed interest in the building, the owners said. Both expressed plans to allow the hardware to remain on the first floor.
“We’re hoping that works out,” Ms. Leon said. “Our hope is we can stay in here at least through the summer,” she added.
“But we are not selling the business at this point.”
Comments
It's sad the red tape the
Schools Out TisburyIt's sad the red tape the Island puts businesses through. The family simply wanted to add employee housing. But the obstacles were too great, and the time measured in years. Who can blame the sisters for selling? More t-shirts, anyone?
One by one the character of
Brian Vineyard HavenOne by one the character of the Vineyard continues to change .
Sorry to hear the news. Great
Jim EdgartownSorry to hear the news. Great hardware store
Such a great hardware store,
Frank Brunelle Vineyard HavenSuch a great hardware store, personal service, awesome people. Very sad to hear this news. The last remaining downtown hardware store on the island.
This is sad news.
Katherine Scott TisburyThis is sad news.
Maybe someone will purchase the business and keep running it as a hardware store---and transform it into an Ace-affiliated hardware store. We really need an Ace hardware store on the Island.
The absence of Phillips
Rena Vine Oak BluffsThe absence of Phillips Hardware would be a real loss for the town of Oak Bluffs and the home owners there. The city should allow plans for the expansion and working people can't keep up the fight for their building plans for years as commercial developers can. So they'll sell to someone who has attorneys lined up to do battle and deeper pockets for the job. I remind my family members to get everything they can from Phillips and not to order off Amazon if they want the hardware store to continue. It's wonderful to walk up there and get what you need and walk home and fix something all within an hour - and sad to think it might go away.
Best wishes as the Phillips
C. McNally OBBest wishes as the Phillips family makes difficult decisions about the hardware store.
In my opinion, it is the BEST business on the island--bar none! Customer service, product placement and selection and absolute helpfulness is one of a kind.
As someone who knows exactly
Amy Billings Oak BluffsAs someone who knows exactly what the Phillips family is going through it make me sad that we have increased our population but continue to make it harder and harder for a year round business to survive. Change is inevitable but at the expense of our character and uniqueness ? Hoping a buyer will follow through with the original Phillips plan and keep them in business for the benefit of our year round community. PLEASE SHOP LOCAL
I've been going to the Island
Bonnie Vineyard HavenI've been going to the Island since 1964 & am very sorry to hear this. Big changes on the Island since 1964!!!!
One of the things that makes
Mark Jenkins OBOne of the things that makes Oak Bluffs great is that we have a real downtown. There’s a hardware store, a grocery store, the post office, a Five and Dime, somewhere to have lunch, a coffee shop, a bar, a liquor store, and yes, even a place to make copies! It was a shame when the pharmacy moved out of town, but aside from that, OB is an old-fashioned functioning downtown. It would be sad to see Phillips have to leave. They say you can’t stop progress, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it.
Well stated - we certainly
Amy EdgartownWell stated - we certainly miss the downtown location of Edgartown Hardware! Hope the Phillips can find away to stay...
We surely do miss downtown
Lorraine EdgartownWe surely do miss downtown Edgartown Hardware, also. I understand that it is easier for large, heavy orders at the new location. But, I miss being able to walk downtown and pick up a few things. They always had what I needed. I am still a customer having had an account there for decades and decades as they provide me with everything I need these days.
"Zoning challenges" once
Gerry Moriarty Katama"Zoning challenges" once again rears its ugly head. Whether we are talking building workforce housing, multi-family housing, or apartments, or condos, zoning always seems to be the challenge. We need the MVC or the All Island Selectmen to look at this as an island wide problem and create some realistic solutions. Seniors would like to move out of their homes, but there is no place for us to go if we want to stay on the island.
As long as we have visited MV
Nancy Irvington NYAs long as we have visited MV (50 years) Phillips Hardware has been our go to place for everything from beach items ,new keys, kitchen supplies and everything we needed. If they didn’t have it, they would recommend where we could get it. I hope this wonderful business is able to continue. Oak Bluffs needs it.
If Phillips doesn't have what
The Colonel Oak BluffsIf Phillips doesn't have what you're looking for, then God didn't make it yet! Be patient, they'll have it when he does.
This is such a good family
Tom Engley West TisburyThis is such a good family with incredible values they will prevail.
When I heard this I felt it
Kati Alley Oak BluffsWhen I heard this I felt it in my chest. I shop at Phillips at least once a week and they are like family. It does seem like the town is losing its soul. I’m heartbroken for the family and it’s employees. I hope you are able to remain!! Thank you all for serving our Island all these years.
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