Quirkyhardwarestorehasbecomethetoastof Cabot

Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, August 6th 2025 at 17:46 GMT by WCAX3
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You likely know Cabot for its cheese, but the town has one of the quirkiest businesses around, too.

Quirky Hardware Store Becomes Toast in Cabot: A Community Laments the Loss of a Local Icon

CABOT, Vt. — In the rolling hills of central Vermont, where dairy farms dot the landscape and the scent of fresh cheese wafts from the nearby Cabot Creamery, a beloved institution has met its untimely end. The quirky hardware store that has served as the heartbeat of Cabot for generations has shuttered its doors, leaving residents reeling from the loss of what many describe as more than just a place to buy nails and paint—it's a slice of small-town Americana that's now "toast."

Known locally as Cabot Hardware & Mercantile, the store has been a fixture on Main Street since the early 1900s, evolving from a modest feed and grain outlet into a sprawling emporium of oddities and essentials. What set it apart wasn't just its inventory of tools, plumbing supplies, and gardening gear, but its eccentric charm. Shelves overflowed with everything from antique typewriters to rubber chickens, vintage candy, and even a collection of taxidermied animals that owner Elias "Eli" Hargrove claimed were "guardians of the aisles." Visitors often stumbled upon hidden gems like a 1950s jukebox that still played Elvis tunes or a corner dedicated to homemade maple syrup gadgets. "It was like stepping into a time capsule mixed with a flea market," recalls longtime customer Martha Jenkins, a 72-year-old retiree who frequented the store for her knitting supplies and gossip sessions.

The store's quirkiness extended beyond its merchandise. Hargrove, who took over the family business in the 1970s, was notorious for his unconventional business practices. He once hosted "Midnight Madness" sales where customers could barter with farm-fresh eggs or handmade quilts instead of cash. During winter storms, the store doubled as a warming center, offering free hot cider and storytelling sessions around a potbelly stove. Community events were a staple: annual pumpkin-carving contests, DIY workshops on building birdhouses from recycled materials, and even a "Pet Parade" where locals brought their dogs, cats, and the occasional goat to strut down the aisles. "Eli didn't just sell hardware; he sold community," says Tom Reilly, the town's selectboard chair. "Losing this place feels like losing a family member."

But economic pressures and changing times have proven too much for the quirky outpost. The closure, announced abruptly last month, stems from a combination of factors. Rising costs of goods, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions from recent global events, have squeezed margins thin. Competition from big-box retailers like Home Depot and online giants such as Amazon has siphoned away customers who once relied on Cabot Hardware for its personalized service. Hargrove, now in his late 70s, cited health concerns and a lack of successors as key reasons for calling it quits. "I've poured my soul into this place, but the world moves too fast now," Hargrove told WCAX in an exclusive interview. "Kids order screws from their phones; they don't come in to chat about the weather or share recipes."

The impact on Cabot, a town of just over 1,400 residents, is profound. Nestled in Washington County, Cabot is best known for its cooperative creamery, which produces world-renowned cheddar cheese and draws tourists year-round. The hardware store was a vital cog in the local economy, employing a dozen people and supporting nearby farms by stocking specialized equipment like milking machine parts and fencing supplies. Its closure leaves a void not just in retail but in social fabric. "Where do we go now for that emergency light bulb or a friendly face?" wonders Jenkins. Local businesses, including the creamery's visitor center, have expressed concern that the loss could deter visitors who enjoyed the store's unique vibe as part of their Cabot experience.

Community members have rallied in response, organizing a farewell gathering last weekend that drew hundreds. Stories were shared, tears were shed, and a petition circulated to preserve the building as a historical site or community center. Some residents are exploring cooperative models to revive a similar venture, inspired by the town's cheese-making heritage. "Cabot is about resilience," says Reilly. "We've got farmers who've weathered blizzards and market crashes. We'll figure this out."

Historically, the store's roots trace back to 1912, when it was founded by Hargrove's grandfather as a general mercantile to serve the area's burgeoning dairy industry. Over the decades, it survived the Great Depression by bartering goods, adapted to World War II rationing by focusing on essential repairs, and even thrived in the 1980s tourism boom when Cabot Cheese gained national fame. Quirky traditions emerged organically: the "Wall of Fame" where customers pinned photos of their DIY projects, or the annual "Ugliest Lamp Contest" that awarded prizes for the most hideous lighting fixtures submitted.

Yet, the closure highlights broader challenges facing rural America. Small-town hardware stores are vanishing at an alarming rate, with industry reports indicating a 20% decline in independent retailers over the past decade. In Vermont alone, similar establishments in towns like Waitsfield and Hardwick have folded, victims of e-commerce and demographic shifts as younger generations move to urban areas. Economists point to the "Amazon effect," where convenience trumps community, but locals argue that places like Cabot Hardware offered something intangible: human connection.

As the "For Sale" sign now hangs on the weathered facade, Hargrove reflects on a lifetime of service. "We weren't just quirky; we were essential," he says. Plans for the building remain uncertain, with rumors of a developer eyeing it for a boutique hotel or artisanal shop. But for many in Cabot, the store's spirit lives on in memories of laughter echoing through cluttered aisles and the simple joy of finding exactly what you didn't know you needed.

In a world increasingly dominated by impersonal transactions, the demise of Cabot Hardware serves as a poignant reminder of what gets lost when quirkiness gives way to efficiency. As one resident put it, "It's not just toast—it's the end of an era." The community vows to keep that flame alive, perhaps by toasting to new beginnings with a slice of Cabot cheddar on actual toast.

Read the Full WCAX3 Article at:
[ https://www.wcax.com/2025/08/06/quirky-hardware-store-has-become-toast-cabot/ ]

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Quirkyhardwarestorehasbecomethetoastof Cabot

Quirky Hardware Store Becomes Toast in Cabot: A Community Laments the Loss of a Local Icon