San Francisco's Papenhausen Hardware to close after 88 years

SAN FRANCISCO - A legacy business in San Francisco that has been around since 1936 is going out of business.

Papenhausen Hardware, a fixture in West Portal for 88 years, will close its doors on Dec. 31, or sooner if inventory runs out.

On Monday, customers flowed in and out of the store, many learning that the days of visiting the shop and benefiting from the staff's expertise are limited.

"Without this place, where can you go?" asked customer Frank Ruiz.

Karl Aguilar, who joined the staff in 1988 and eventually became a manager and partner, said the business survived two fires, the latest in 2018. However, it could not withstand rising rent and changing social patterns following the pandemic.

As a neighborhood business without a parking lot but situated close to the West Portal, it relied on a steady stream of commuters to stop in. The post-pandemic era, with remote work and food delivery, has led to a 30% drop in foot traffic.

"We have always been more of a convenience store than a destination," said Aguilar. "When you don't have parking, you're always going to be more convenience-based. We just became less convenient for 30% of our customers."

The hardware store is offering deep discounts, and customers are flooding in to get what they need.

"Even though it's a small store I find everything I need here," said customer Joyce Zanze. "But, it's our community, West Portal. We need a hardware store."

Papenhausen has been more than just a hardware store; it's a neighborhood landmark. During the pandemic, it served as a location for essential workers and a gathering place for neighbors when it was safe.

John Veizades said the store's history goes back farther than that.

"We moved to this neighborhood when I was 11 or 12 years old and we were the commensurate DIY family," said Veizades. "So, when you needed a screw or a bolt or piece of wire you came on down to Papenhausen."

Now, the owners are saying their farewells to staff and loyal customers, urging people to support small businesses to prevent further closures in the city.

"I talk to a lot of business owners, and a lot of them are in the same boat," Aguilar said. "Whether they're doing better or worse has a lot to do with whether they were able to adapt, how much they can streamline, and whether or not they own their buildings."