Mayfair Hardware closing after more than 70 years in business

Saskatoon is losing a piece of retail history.

Mayfair Hardware on 33rd Street is closing up shop after a seven-decade run serving the community.

“On behalf of Bruce Thomas, owner of Mayfair Hardware, his family would like to thank his loyal customers for their support for over 70 years,” read a statement.

“Bruce is forever grateful for the many friendships he made over the years and would like to thank his devoted staff for their ongoing support.”

Thomas helped establish the store with his parents in 1949 and took over the family business after his father’s passing.

In June of 2019, Thomas spoke of the business as it neared its 70th anniversary to 650 CKOM. He gave some insight as to how its doors have stayed open for such a long time. 

“You just have to want it. Like what you’re doing, and time goes on, that’s for sure,” he said. “(And) always have a smile on your face.”

The family said due to the pandemic and uncertain economy, the time was right to close the store and for Thomas to finally retire at 89 years of age.

The store earned a reputation as the place to go to locate discontinued and hard-to-find items.

That reputation shone on Monday morning, with customers lined up around the building to get their products from the store. 

“I’ve always supported Bruce, as much as I could. If you can’t find it anywhere else, you come to Bruce. More than likely he’s got what you’re looking for,” said Monica Schier, a customer that’s supported the business for around 30 years.

The wait to get into the store was around two hours Monday morning, according to some of the die-hard customers that started to line up before things opened for the day. 

“70 years is a real legacy, and I know that its impacted, even in small ways, this neighbourhood real positively,” said Leon Willey, who had been in the lineup for over an hour. 

“There’s a familiar bell that rings as soon as you’d walk in. (It’s) old-timey and homey.”

The store will remain open until the Victoria Day long weekend to sell off the remaining stock. After that, the building will be put up for sale.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker and Brady Lang