A hardware store in San Francisco’s West Portal is closing up shop after being in business for 88 years.

Papenhausen Hardware made the announcement, saying it no longer could afford to stay open.

Karl Aguilar walked into this hardware store 29 years ago as a San Francisco State University student looking for a job. But in 2018, Aguilar became a co-owner and thought he would retire there.

Aguilar said it wasn’t just one thing prompting the closure, but two fires and the pandemic took a big hit on his business. He estimates sales dropped about 30% in the first year of the pandemic.

“By the second year, we realized it was time to sell and all of the emotional side of it,” said Aguilar. “What can we do, all the questioning, the sleepless nights happened then.”

On Saturday, Papenhausen Hardware started its going out of business sale. Many of the shelves are now empty as customers come by to make their final trip to their local hardware store.

“We thought there would be an increase in business but it’s just been this crushing avalanche of nonstop business for four days now,” said Matt Rogers the co-owner Papenhausen Hardware. “So, it’s impressive. Touching too really.”

“It’s been overwhelming in a good way?” Aguilar added. “The community is deeply upset. They wish it wasn’t the case and people have come out of the woodwork trying to come up with ideas and find ways to keep us here but the financial reality is that we just can’t stay.”

After 88 years in the West Portal neighborhood, generations of families have relied on this store for basic hardware supplies.

Customers like Lee Bradley said the closing is a huge loss to the community.

“Terrible news really,” Bradley said. “Devastation. The convenience is the whole thing. It’s nice having a store, just down the block that you could little bits and bobs. Whatever you wanted.”

But as customers shopping habits have changed after the pandemic, Papenhausen isn’t the only one struggling to keep its doors open.

Aguilar hopes people realize how important community support is to keep small businesses open.

“The one thing people should take from this is whether it be a bookstore, or a coffee shop or maybe a fabric store that you love,” he said. “I guarantee you that they’re struggling. If you want to see them there, you can support them and every dollar makes a difference.”

Papenhausen Hardware is scheduled to close on December 31st but if they run out of inventory, the store could be closed earlier.

While the developers claim that the proposed project “exceeds” AB 2011’s standards, the application is still under review to determine if it qualifies for the expedited approval process granted by the law.

Sider noted that the proposal “hasn’t yet been assessed for Code compliance, but we remain hopeful that the project will be thoughtfully designed and adhere to all regulations.” He added that the location “has always been an ideal spot for new housing.”

The original plan for a 50-story, 712-unit high-rise was met with fierce opposition from city planners, residents and Supervisor Joel Engardio, who represents the Sunset District, where the site is located.

Engardio called the initial proposal a “middle finger to the city” and dismissed it as a plan “no one would take seriously.”

Although the new proposal significantly reduces the building’s height, with only 22 stories, Engardio remains critical.

“Twenty-two stories is still far beyond what’s reasonable,” he said in an interview. “We need to stop dreaming up massive skyscrapers at the beach and focus on real housing that will meet the needs of real families.”

Engardio pointed out that the Coastal Commission will need to weigh in on the project and criticized the developers for not adhering to the Sunset District’s current zoning laws, which limit building heights to 10 stories.

“We need more housing for seniors and families in the Sunset and throughout San Francisco,” Engardio said. “But no one wants Ocean Beach to turn into Miami Beach.”