ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — Joe Wales is getting ready to say goodbye to W. G. Arthur Hardware and Home Furnishings.
“People have been driving by it their whole lives, their parents’ whole lives and their grandparent’s whole lives,” Wales said.
The store is closing its doors after 117 years in business.
“And I grew up two blocks from here. Used to shop here as a kid I’d get my wiffle balls here my ping pong balls ride my bike up,” he said. “Saw the sign in the door, applied for a job, got hired.
Wales has worked here for 30 years. He got to work under Tom Morrow, W.G. Arthur’s grandson until he became the store’s president 12 years ago.
“I went through business school at UB and graduated and met with Tom and said, This is what I want to do. He said, ‘Let’s do it,'” Wales said.
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