OCEAN BEACH, Calif. (KGTV) - A pair of local businessmen have announced plans to buy the century-old Ocean Beach Hardware Store and keep it open.
The store's original owners announced plans in October to retire and close the store.
Mike DeEmedio and Michael Grimes are the new owners. They told 10News they plan to keep most of the store the same and to retain all of the current employees. They also plan to add some classes and events to make it more of a community gathering place.
"Instead of a going out of business sale, now we're going to have a 100 year anniversary," says DeEmedio.
Many people in the neighborhood worried that the space at 4871 Newport Ave would be leased to a national chain. There have been protests and debates over big stores like Target moving onto the same street.
DeEmedio says that was a concern of his as well.
"This community of OB is the people and we see a lot of change happening," he says. "If we want to see something preserved or change, it's up to us to do it. That's kind of the spirit as we're taking over and gonna bring some new life into it."
