Pismo Bob's hardware store to close after 33 years
Pismo Bob’s, a family-owned South County hardware store, is shutting its doors after 33 years of business. Bob and Toni Pringle will continue to operate the adjacent nursery, Pismo Garden Art, and Valentina Suites across the road, both owned by the Pringle family.
Pismo Beach Hardware, which has more than $1 million in inventory, Bob Pringle said, will close on Aug. 15 after a month of sales.
Pringle is uncertain what will occupy the about 3,800-square-foot building at 930 Price St., which he said has been previously approved for a restaurant or wine tasting shop.
He could search for tenants, but Pringle said he may expand the about 5,000-square-foot nursery into the vacated hardware store.
Pismo Bob’s and Pismo Garden Art are staffed entirely by the Pringle family of eight, including their six children who work part time.
Bob Pringle said the hardware store requires someone with a vast understanding of the products to be constantly available, as well as an elaborate inventory of both popular and secondary merchandise. It’s one of the reasons the family has decided to close the store, he said.
He said the nursery, which sells only succulents, is less demanding. Succulents’ recent popularity for their low cost, maintenance and water usage also helped push the decision, according to Pringle.
Pringle views hardware and nursery shoppers as two different types of consumers.
While customers are turning to big-box hardware stores for cheaper products, Pringle said he doesn’t see that happening with gardens and gardening paraphernalia, because gardens are unique to each individual and people are willing to pay more to create a particular feeling.
Pringle sells about 300 different types of succulents at Pismo Garden Art, in addition to pre-made arrangements of hanging baskets and potting containers. The nursery also carries work from 150 local artists and garden art, pottery, benches, ornaments, wind chimes and garden accessories.
This story was originally published June 29, 2015 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Pismo Bob's hardware store to close after 33 years."