Des Plaines True Value hardware says goodbye

Conrad Hansen learned the nuts and bolts of the hardware business working in his parents' Palatine hardware store at age 10.

It's all he's ever known. And after 58 years, Hansen is hanging up his tools.

His first priority in retirement, is "trying to start the list that my wife has been making for years of things that she wanted me to do."

A fixture in the Des Plaines community for 31 years, Hansen True Value Hardware just south of Oakton Street is closing its doors as soon as the inventory sells out. A final date has not been set, but it will be in about six weeks.

The store itself has been there about 35 years, previously under a different owner.

Longtime customer Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia said he remembers when the True Value opened and was likely the only hardware store in town at the time.

"True Value has always had a good name," Arredia said. "You're always sad to see anything go, especially with today's economy. I wouldn't be surprised, if it opens again. I really would like to see another hardware store."

But, he added, Des Plaines also needs "a really good bakery."

Though business hasn't been robust lately and the True Value is right next to an Ace Hardware, it's not the reason Hansen decided to close.

"We've been coexisting for about 18 years now," Hansen said of the Ace Hardware, which opened in 1991. "There's a certain synergism that occurs by having two of us right next to each other."

If one store didn't have something, the other did.

"This is kind of a hardware corner here so, in that regard, I think it worked mutually beneficial," Hansen said.

Hansen of Palatine said there's no one to take over his business.

"My daughter is a designer, not a hardware lady," he said. "Our grandsons are only 6 years old."

Hansen helped his parents run their Palatine hardware store from 1948 to 1992. For more than 10 years, he ran both stores.

"I'm ready to retire," he said. "I'm almost 70."

Hansen thanked his customers.

"We certainly appreciate all the business that we've had and the opportunities to serve them over these years," he added.

Hansen has sold the property to a real estate developer and doesn't know what will become of the store.

"They told me what they're not going to do with it - that's not run a hardware store," he said.