Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Goodbye, Newhall Hardware
()
Newhall Hardware's closing. Who's next? Koontz's?
For more than six decades, Newhall Hardware typified the mom-and-pop stores that helped build towns and cities all across America. But that's before the big-big-box retailers came along and dominated the market. So how can places like Newhall Hardware possibly compete with the Wal-Marts and Home Depots of the world? That's easy -- they can't. Earlier this year, hardware store owner Victor Feany said that he was quitting the business and liquidating everything. The store's going to be open sporadically until everything is gone.
What was the final straw? Some say it was the rerouting of car traffic away from downtown Newhall (in Santa Clarita) in order to make the street more pedestrian friendly. Seems like the city leaders wanted downtown Newhall to turn into -- presto, chango style -- Pasadena. They even changed the name of the street from San Fernando Road to Main Street. How quaint. But gentrification doesn't happen overnight, and a lot of these small business are paying the price.
Support for LAist comes from
But whatever the reason, we're losing a great little store. Not because it had everything (you couldn't buy McDonald's chicken nuggets while you were cashing out). Not because of the roomy aisles (the place was long and narrow and claustrophobic). But it was because of the people. They would answer your questions. They'd help you find what you were looking for. They said "hello" because it was good customer service, not because the p. 3 of the employee handbook ordered them to do so. Yes, I probably paid a little more when I shopped there, but that was OK with me.
For the time being, I guess I'll end up at Home Depot for my hardware needs. That is, until someone decides to open a Lowe's in downtown Newhall.
Photo by Christine N. Ziemba for LAist.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist