Fred’s Hardware
Towns across Garfield County have seen local hardware stores shut their doors in recent years, and Fred’s Hardware of Rifle will be the latest, according to the store’s owners.
General Manager Sean Pierce said the family business is looking forward to continuing to support the town, as it transitions to committing entirely to other areas of the business aside from hardware.
Fred’s Hardware, owned by Tisco Energy Supply, an oilfield and industrial equipment supplier, will sell off the rest of its hardware inventory before moving to focus solely on the natural gas and oil industry.
“We’re just trying to move inventory and making deals,” he added.
Fred’s Hardware moved to Rifle in 2006. Pierce said his father already retired from the business, and the store always remained a great way to support the community and meet new people every day.
Pierce had many fond memories of helping different community members find the right tools for the job, whether it was a home improvement project or something a student was doing for school.
He said the transition will be a tough one, but Tisco’s heart has always been with oil and gas.
“We’re just focusing on what we know and what we do,” he added.
“A lot of people made us their first stop, and I just want to say thank you to our supporters,” he added. “Thank you for letting us be a part the community.”
Rifle is not the only western Garfield County town to see a local hardware store close. Last year, Mr. T’s in New Castle closed, and Tim’s Tools in Silt closed shop the year before that.
At the time of Mr. T’s closing, owner Russell Talbot told the Post Independent that the family owned business hung in there as long as they could, but it was time to step away.
Pierce said he believes there is a serious gap in residential hardware stores in local communities, and he would love to see someone else step up.