Lewter Hardware is closing in downtown Huntsville after nearly a century of serving customers one at a time in a museum-like building with added rooms, wooden floors and shelves that climb the walls.
Manager Caleb Hipp confirmed the closing on Friday, and a sign was on the door this week. It said, “Dear Customers in light of the untimely passing of Donnie, the only way forward for Lewter Hardware is for us to close our doors. We thank you for the 94 years of your support in downtown. Our final day will be October 8th.”
The sun sets on Lewter Hardware in downtown Huntsville on Aug. 11, 2022 as many people were finding out the popular old store will close after the death of one of its owners.
Donnie Lewter died July 20 at age 64 weakened by a bout with COVID, store staff confirmed Friday. His obituary said, “Donnie deeply loved his family and being an instrumental part of Huntsville history through his work at Lewter Hardware. Well known by so many, Donnie loved serving the community and helping friends, customers and even strangers in any way he could.”
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The store is locally popular for personal service, a wide variety of household and gardening tools and a staff that knows where to find it all. In just one example of its unique history, Lewter sells rope marking the length with gold medallions placed every 10 feet in the wooden floors. One customer said on the store’s website, “You could get just one of nuts and bolts in many sizes instead of having to buy a whole pack.”
Lewter Hardware manager Caleb Hipp standing in a main aisle of the downtown store than grew one added room at a time. On the floor is one of the store’s well-known cats.
The store was popular for its personal service and the fact that, as Hipp put it, “somebody knew the answer” to any question about home projects or repairs. City newcomers who found their way to Lewter were “amazed this is still around,” Hipp said, while others said, “This reminds me of ….”
But Lewter Hardware was no nostalgia act. It has a website, advertises on television and stocks modern tools and hardware.
News of the closure spread on social media this week and reached the Huntsville City Council chambers Thursday night. Mayor Tommy Battle hadn’t heard. “I’m a once-a-week customer down there,” Battle said after the meeting. “I can guarantee you I can always find something that I need that I didn’t know I needed.
“It’s such a convenient, local hardware store,” Battle said. “They have worked hard year after year and been great neighbors in their community. I would hope it’s not true, but if it is I wish them the best.
“The family has been a great family for this city for a long time,” Battle said, “and we hope they do what is best for their family.”
The store sits on a large lot just between Jefferson and Greene streets near the downtown exit of Interstate 565. The family also owns another adjunct building across Jefferson Street.
