Kolln Hardware to close Kolln Hardware to close (March 19, 2004)

Kolln Hardware, a Pleasanton hardware store at 600 Main St. for the last 135 years, will close its doors June 30 to make way for a new use of the historic downtown building. Gary Ferris, who has owned and operate Kolln as an Ace Hardware dealership since 1983, said he was notified this week that his lease would not be renewed when it expires June 30. Unless new retail space can be located here, he plans to liquidate his store's inventory before closing.

"This was a shocker to me and everybody," said Ferris, who has lived in Pleasanton for 33 years. "I feel worse for all of my customers who depend on us for filling their specific hardware needs."

Attorney Peter MacDonald, chairman of the Pleasanton Downtown Association, called Kolln Hardware's closing "terrible news for our downtown." Pamela Ott, Director of Business Development for the city of Pleasanton, said she has talked with Ferris about finding other downtown or nearby locations for his business.

Ferris said he sent his rent payment checks to a property manager and has never known who owns the building, which some believe is held in a Kolln family trust.

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