A well-established family-run hardware store in Tenafly, New Jersey, will close its doors for good on January 31, 2026, marking the end of more than 80 years of serving the community. Once a thriving hub, it now joins the growing list of local businesses affected by changing retail dynamics.
Founded in 1946, this store has been a staple in the community for generations. However, like many independent retailers, it has found it increasingly difficult to adapt to the evolving retail environment.
The Struggling Retail Industry
The retail sector is in turmoil, with projections of about 15,000 store closures in 2025—roughly twice as many as in 2024. Smaller, independent stores are struggling to compete against larger, online retailers and big-box chains.
Increased operational costs and declining foot traffic have forced many local stores, including this one, to shutter their doors. Communities are experiencing the loss of trusted, longstanding businesses as the retail landscape undergoes a profound transformation.
A Legacy of Service and Community Engagement
Founded in 1946, this store began as a small hardware shop, catering to the needs of a post-World War II community. Over the years, it expanded into a full-service hardware store, providing tools, supplies, and personalized advice to loyal customers.
Despite the rise of national chains, the store survived for over eight decades, thriving as a cornerstone of local commerce. But even a long legacy cannot shield it from the current challenges reshaping the industry.
The Retail Crisis and its Impact on Independent Stores
The term “retail apocalypse” has become a grim reality for many small businesses. Independent hardware stores are under immense financial pressure due to rising costs and increasing competition from both physical and online giants.
In 2024, a significant Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing disrupted several affiliated stores, and many have found it difficult to recover. As prices climb and competition intensifies, these businesses face an uphill battle for survival.
The End of an Era
After more than 80 years, Benjamin Brothers True Value will close its doors for the last time on January 31, 2026. The hardware store, a mainstay for the community, had become a part of the lives of many who grew up shopping there.
Now, the community faces the difficult reality of losing a business that helped them build their homes, their lives, and their community.
The Impact on the Community
For the people of Tenafly, this closure marks more than the loss of a store—it’s the end of a multi-generational hub. Local DIYers and contractors will no longer have easy access to expert advice and quality materials.
The community loses a source of trust and local expertise that has been a staple for decades. For many, it’s not just a store closing—it’s a piece of the town’s fabric unraveling.
A Nostalgic Goodbye
Social media is flooded with posts from loyal customers mourning the loss. One customer shared, “This is very sad news. I often shop at Benjamin Brothers and also value their help when I need names of reliable contractors and products. You will definitely be missed”.
These heartfelt messages underscore the emotional connection many had to Benjamin Brothers. The store was more than just a place to buy tools—it was a fixture of everyday life, a space where generations of families came together to learn and grow.
Do It Best Takes Over True Value
In November 2024, Do it Best, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, acquired True Value in the wake of its bankruptcy. Despite this acquisition, Benjamin Brothers, like some other local stores, chose to shut its doors.
The merger couldn’t save the store, highlighting the struggle for small businesses to adapt to the giant forces of retail and e-commerce. Even with corporate backing, the challenges proved insurmountable.
The Bigger Picture
The closure of Benjamin Brothers is part of a larger trend across the U.S., with thousands of store closures expected in 2025. The rise of e-commerce, coupled with the increasing dominance of retail giants like Home Depot, has created a tough environment for small, independent businesses.
Hardware and home-improvement stores are especially vulnerable, as consumers shift to the convenience of online shopping and national chains.
Employment Concerns
The closure impacts not just shoppers but also employees. Benjamin Brothers, like many other independent retailers, is part of a broader workforce transition happening across the country.
With approximately 15,000 expected store closures in 2025, many workers at retail businesses face uncertain futures. For employees who have dedicated years to these businesses, the transition to new employment can be challenging.
True Value’s Struggle
True Value’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in October 2024 revealed just how deep the troubles ran. Rising costs were cited as a significant factor in the company’s struggles.
Even with the acquisition by a major cooperative like Do it Best, True Value affiliates faced ongoing pressure. Benjamin Brothers, a long-time member of the True Value network, could not continue either, despite its rich history and loyal customer base.
Do It Best’s Acquisition
When Do it Best acquired True Value in November 2024, it seemed like a glimmer of hope for the struggling hardware chain. However, the integration proved challenging for some stores.
Even with greater buying power, certain True Value affiliates like Benjamin Brothers couldn’t sustain operations in the increasingly difficult retail climate. This situation highlights the systemic issues facing the hardware industry, including rising costs and the struggle to maintain relevance in an e-commerce-dominated world.
Closing Days
As the store nears its final days, Benjamin Brothers has begun clearing out its inventory. The shelves that once held tools, paints, and lightbulbs are being emptied.
Customers are urged to visit one last time before the doors close for good on January 31. The store’s legacy, built over decades, will soon transition, leaving behind memories of a business that served the community faithfully.
The Ongoing Retail Challenge
Despite the best efforts of cooperatives like Do it Best, analysts predict that hardware and other retail sectors will continue to face challenges in the current retail environment.
Experts anticipate continued closures through 2026, with small businesses bearing the brunt. As consumer habits change and online shopping grows, many businesses, even those with decades of history, face uncertain futures.
What’s Next for Main Street?
As Benjamin Brothers closes its doors, the question remains: what happens to Main Street when community stores disappear? Will big-box stores and e-commerce giants dominate, or is there a way for smaller businesses to survive?
The future of retail remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—communities are losing more than just stores. They’re losing a piece of their identity, their history, and their connection to the past.
Sources:
“Tenafly NJ hardware store Benjamin Brothers to close.” NorthJersey.com, 23 Dec 2025.
“True Value Company Announces Sale Agreement with Do it Best.” PR Newswire, 14 Oct 2024.
”Do it Best Successfully Completes Purchase of True Value.” GlobeNewswire, 22 Nov 2024.
”Coresight Predicts Store Closures will Spike to 15,000 This Year.” Retail TouchPoints, 22 Jan 2025.