Work From Home Life

In December 2024, the owners of Dobson Gifts and General Hardware announced it would soon close its doors after 80 years in business.Located on Wade Hampton Boulevard, co-owners Terry and Debbie Dobson reflected on their time serving the Greer and surrounding upstate communities.Its kind of bittersweet, and Im getting old,” Terry laughed. “Its time. I would like to thank everyone in the community for the 80 years of the support and loyalty.According to the Dobsons, the store was opened by Terry’s dad back in 1945 on the corner of Main and Poinsett.”Then in 63, they moved to what was Community Cash and operated there from ’64 to ’99, Terry said.The Wade Hampton location in Greer was opened in 1986 and is the last remaining store of the two that once operated at the same time.”We were a hardware store with gifts,” Terry said. “Now weve had to transition into more of gifts with hardware. Thats what weve had to do since the big boxes came in.For years the store was also known for its bridal registries and free gift wrapping in addition to the hardware and gifts offered.”Lowes came first, then Home Depot,” Debbie said. “They didnt need three hardware stores on one corner, so we diversified, and were more gifts now with a little bit of hardware, and weve been like this since 2003. Its time. Weve got four grandchildren, two at the coast and two here in town, so hope to spend more time with them and travel. Its been a good ride.Current co-manager Alice Kring, an employee of the store since 2000, said it’ll be the turn of a new chapter when the store closes. She said she’ll forever cherish the generations of families who have come through the doors, and the customers who quickly turned into family.”You dont have to work at a bar to know everybodys name,” Kring said. “They walk in, and we have lots of repeat customers.” Co-manager Ellis Chapman has been with the store for 15 years.Ive met so many wonderful customers who keep coming back,” Chapman said. “Theyre like family too, and itll be very hard to say goodbye to them.The Dobsons, filled with gratitude, continually thanked the Greer community, its loyal customers, and its employees who have stuck by their side for years.The store will begin its liquidation and discounted sales on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The doors will officially close once everything is gone. See video above for full story.