The Brunswick Home and Garden Shop is closing after being in business for more than 60 years.
The shop, which sells lawn and garden equipment, commercial mowing equipment and a repair service, has been in Brunswick since 1962. The closure highlights how it’s becoming increasingly rare for products sold in the U.S. to last more than a few years and need repairs to maintain that longevity.
The shop announced on Facebook on Nov. 20 that it will be closing by the New Year due to rising prices and costs. Owner Jesse Laffely said Friday that it’s cheaper for his customers to buy new smaller handheld tools and machines rather than pay to get them repaired.
“We can no longer guarantee a livable wage and insurance to our employees while also staying profitable enough to keep the doors open and lights on. All these factors, in addition to Jesse nearing his own retirement, have led to our decision to close our doors,” the Facebook post reads.
The shop still repaired larger machines, like snow blowers, but the smaller machines like weedwackers and chainsaws aren’t cost-efficient to repair anymore because of high costs for labor and parts, Laffely said.
Laffely said 12 employees will be laid off, but at least half of them have already found jobs elsewhere once the store closes.
The Facebook post added that anyone who wants to know where the nearest repair person is for machines they’ve bought from Brunswick Home and Garden Shop can call them to ask. Laffely said his wife, who helps him run the shop, has already written at least 500 thank-you notes to the shop’s customers for supporting them for years. She still has more to go.
“We’re going to miss those loyal and faithful customers,” Laffely said.