Home Hardware in Stratford shutting down

The Home Hardware store in Stratford, P.E.I., is closing its doors, the corporation announced on Wednesday.

Staff were told about the closure late Wednesday afternoon.

Stratford Mayor David Dunphy said the news comes as a surprise, but he expects another business to pick up the opportunity soon.

"It's a big building for sure, but you know what, it's a great location," he said.

"I really think that it's an opportunity for another business or another entrepreneur to take that on. It's a busy corner there."

The province recently completed work to realign the store's entrance with that of the Sobey's across the street, which Dunphy said should make the property more attractive to a buyer.

The parent company said it had decided it was no longer going to operate the location as a corporate store, and it was not able to find a local franchisee to take it over.

Stratford does not have an economic development employee at town hall, but Dunphy said staff will work to help find a new retailer.