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A downtown Centralia staple for almost 75 years that sells everything from hardware, tools and paint to antiques and more, Anderson’s True Value has started a clearance sale in preparation to permanently close.
After working at the Tower Avenue hardware store for 49 of those years, owner Greg Anderson has decided it’s time to retire.
He’s been the owner for over 30 of those years and has run the business together with his wife, Shelia Anderson, and their children.
“I’ve loved working here for 50 years. I’ve had great customers, great feedback,” Greg said. “I like doing what I do. It’s just time. I’ve been here 50 years, and I’m tired and want to retire … It’s time, before I completely fall apart and can’t do anything.”
At 64, he thought it was a good time to go ahead and retire when the building’s new owner approached him saying they wanted to remodel the structure, Greg told The Chronicle on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
“It’s in need (of a remodel), so that’s where it’s going with that. So, I’m just going to have a liquidation retirement sale,” Greg said.
Currently, all items in the store are between 10% and 70% off, and everything inside is for sale, even some of the display cases and sales racks.
Aside from tools, hardware, paint and other traditional hardware store selections, customers can also find antiques inside Anderson’s True Value, along with some items from other now-closed Centralia businesses. This includes the last new sweaters and letterman jackets from Centralia Knitting Mills, which Greg purchased in bulk when it closed a few years back.
He plans to stay open until the liquidation sale is completed and everything is gone, which he hopes to have completed by April.
As for his retirement plans, Greg has his eyes set on spending time outdoors enjoying camping, fishing and hunting, as well as traveling to visit family.
“I got a daughter that lives in New Orleans I’d like to visit and I got a sister in Arizona,” he added. “... I can do what I want to. I don’t have to be at the store six, seven days a week.”
Prior to running Anderson’s True Value with his family, Greg worked there for the previous owner, Terry Calkins, who got the business from Tom and Pat Zimmerman after it was originally opened in 1952, as previously reported by The Chronicle.
In fact, Greg first started working at the downtown Centralia hardware store when he was only 15.
“(Shelia’s) been here, too, the whole time,” Greg said.
Anderson’s True Value is located at 220 N. Tower Ave. and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
For more information, call the business at 360-736-7650.
