Scheels Home & Hardware chain closes last location
Economic problems are not always the reason hardware store owners permanently close their stores.
In the last year, several hardware stores across the nation have liquidated their inventory and closed their stores, as the owners have decided to retire from the business after long careers of selling products to the public.
In some cases, hardware store owners will close stores that don't fit the focus of their business strategy, such as Fargo, N.D.-based Scheels.
Scheels Home & Hardware closes
The 124-year-old Scheels Home & Hardware retail chain will close its last remaining hardware store, which is located in Fargo, at the end of 2026, the company announced on May 6, according to KVRR-TV in Fargo.
The company's Board of Directors determined the company's best path forward was to close the last Fargo Home & Hardware store and focus on Scheels' core sporting goods business in the Fargo-Moorhead, N.D., area.
The employee-owned store, located at 3202 13th Avenue, will transition employees to open positions at Sheels' other sporting goods stores.
Changing business led to closing
"Having proudly served our community for more than 120 years, this decision is based solely on the evolution of our business over time and not a reflection of our phenomenal team," Scheels Chief Employee Owner Matt Hanson said, according to KVRR.
"The passion, dedication, and heart of all Home & Hardware associates is unmatched, and we are deeply grateful for their incredible service," Hanson said.
Scheels opened first store in 1902
Since its founding in Sabin, Minn., as a hardware store in 1902, the retail chain has evolved into a sporting goods chain with 34 stores in 16 states, employing about 13,000 workers.
The Fargo location is the last remaining hardware store in the chain under the name Scheels Home & Hardware. The retail chain currently features Scheels or Scheels All Sports signs on the exterior of its sporting goods stores.
The hardware store competed against the industry's leading chain, with a Home Depot located at 4700 17th Ave. in Fargo, located about 2 miles from the Scheels store.
Home Depot dominated the home-improvement sector with 28% of the market share in 2025, as Lowe's captured 17% of the market and Amazon generated 11% of the sector's sales, according to the Numerator Home Improvement Tracker.
Scheels Home & Hardware offers hardware products, a paint shop, grilling and barbecues, home furnishings and decor, design services, and its Café Robert & Coffee Shop, serving soups, sandwiches, and drinks.
Customers can ride indoor Ferris wheel
Many of the Scheels stores include a 45-foot, 56-foot, or 65-foot indoor Ferris wheel for customers to ride and feature 16,000-gallon saltwater aquariums, shooting galleries, arcade games, rollerball bowling, and Ginna's Cafe, which offers soups, sandwiches, specialty coffees, and homemade fudge.
Scheels plans to open four new stores in Cedar Park, Texas, on Aug. 29, 2026; Wauwatosa, Wis., in spring 2027; and Blaine, Minn., and Oklahoma City in Spring 2028, according to its website.
Other hardware stores shut down
A 159-year-old iconic hardware store, Kreuger's True Value, closed its Neenah, Wis., location permanently after completing a retirement/liquidation/going-out-of-business sale, which began on July 22, 2025.
Kreuger's owners Jim and Brian Webb decided to retire and attempted to sell the business, but could not complete a sale with potential buyers.
Another beloved hardware store, Carnation Ace Hardware in Carnation, Wash., closed down in October 2025 after the store's owner decided to retire after his family had run the business for over 56 years.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 7:48 PM.