Business

Auction at White’s Hardware draws more than 30 bidders

An auction of all White's Hardware products brought out many bidders. (Cyndi Murray photo)
An auction at White’s Hardware Wednesday attracted a few dozen bidders. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)

More than 30 people, some traveling from as far away as Brooklyn, descended on White’s Hardware in Greenport Wednesday morning for an auction of the store’s products as the owners prepare to sell the business. 

Bidding began at the 1930s hardware shop at 11 a.m. with shelves of tools, paint and other supplies available for sale.

“I came here looking for a good deal,” said bidder Calvin George of Brooklyn, who braved the morning’s torrential rains and flooded roads to be at the auction. “It took me two and a half hours to get here, but I wanted to come and see. It is a good auction.”

After nearly two decades in business, Stuart Kogelschatz and his estranged wife, Therese, announced plans to sell their Main Street store and all its products in May.

The couple, which purchased the business from Bob White in 1990, initially hoped a buyer would purchase the business and keep it as is. However, an interest buyer never did come forward.

Mr. Kogelschatz, who could not be reached on Wednesday, previously told the Suffolk Times: “This store is my baby. It is an institution in Greenport. I’ll miss it, but I think right now is the best time to get some new blood in here.”

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