When current inventory is reduced, Orchard Supply Hardware in Gilroy will close its doors to the public, according to marketing strategy director Roxanne Joe.
Orchard Supply, 303 E. 10th St., decided to not renew its lease at the South Valley location, according to Joe. Details on the lease arrangements were not made available as of press time.
“We have a really amazing and loyal customer base. It’s upsetting for everybody,” Joe said.
OSH looked at key indicators including financial performance, location, lease terms and overall market conditions.
“In this case, the Gilroy store’s lease was expiring, and we made a decision not to renew it,” Joe said.
The westside home improvement products supplier with 91 stores nationwide is now owned by the Lowe’s chain. But it has been a staple for longtime local shoppers, many with ties to Gilroy, like Pat Mitgaard. The Pacheco Pass resident said she has been shopping at the store for nearly 49 years. Mitgaard, pushing a shopping cart full of outdoor chair cushions for her country home, was among shoppers who packed the parking lot during this week’s reduction sale. The longtime Gilroyan wasn’t shocked.
“Not surprised,” Midtgaard said, citing increased competition created by big box stores.
OSH could not confirm either how long the lease has been in effect or who the landlord is, as well as any structural issues the building may have, how many employees are at the site or any future plans for the building. Orchard Supply had its roots as a farmers’ co-op founded in 1931. In 1996, Sears acquired the store, which later filed for a chapter 11 reorganization, according to past news reports.
Lowe’s currently has a Gilroy location in the Premium Outlets off San Ysidro Road.
For now, OSH customers can expect discounted merchandise during the closeout sale. The exact date of closure is uncertain, as dictated by inventory reduction, Joe said.
