Wednesday — January 28, 2004

Hardware is back
on Main Street

L.L. Green’s moves to Bullion Square

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"It’s probably the best retail space in town. It has better exposure. You can feel the buzz on Main Street. Now, we can better enjoy the business."

— LARRY GREEN, L.L. Green’s owner

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Lightening their load by 3,000 pounds at the dump last week, the crew at L.L. Green’s moved into the corner slot in Bullion Square on Main and Bullion Streets.

The company received their occupancy permit Tuesday, Jan. 20, after having cleared the aisles of the boxes of inventory moved from the old location in Alturus Plaza.

Larry Green helps a customer select a sample in the paint department of the new shop space in Bullion Square. Express photos by Willy Cook

 

"It’s probably the best retail space in town," hardware storeowner Larry Green said. "It has better exposure. You can feel the buzz on Main Street. Now, we can better enjoy the business."

The corner shop window opens onto a view of the intersection of Main and Bullion streets and the mountains at the mouth of Quigley Canyon.

Green, who runs the business with his wife Luanne, the other L in the business name, said he misses having Paul’s downtown, but it’s a good mix of businesses, he said.

The moving crew brought 20 loads in a borrowed Haulmark trailer over from Alturus Plaza.

Bullion Square developer, John Sofro said having L.L. Green’s in the complex was key to his going forward with the project to renovate the old grocery store building.

"Although Hailey is growing, it is still a difficult retail environment," Sofro said. "I knew Larry wanted a higher profile location. Even though Atkinsons’ was across the way, (L.L. Green’s) was somewhat lost over there."

Although Sofro’s concept for a home center has turned out differently with Blockbuster, Body Buff, Ameri-Title, The UPS Store and Big Belly Deli moving in with the Vintage Gypsy and Bungalow, he said the businesses have synergy and L.L. Green’s is one of the anchor businesses.

"I think of Blockbuster as the real anchor business," Green said. "It is amazing to watch the people coming in and out of there."

Sofro said, however, to get the Green’s in Bullion Square he made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

"It’s a win win situation for the group involved in Bullion Square," he added. "Everyone is doing very well so far. It’s really nice to know the local community is supporting these merchants. I’d like to keep it all in the valley, otherwise it’s going back to Twin Falls or Boise."

Green looks forward to public interaction that reflects the old days of neighborhood hardware stores. The aisles are more spacious by law, but the paint counter and two checkout stands have an old fashioned feel with wooden tops and copper sides that match the colored concrete floors.

Green got into the business after his son, who worked at the store when it was called Hardman’s Hardware, told him the business was for sale.

"I don’t know what possessed me," he said, exhausted from moving and setting up the new store. "One thing for sure, I will never move again."

The store will still carry the traditional fasteners, hand and power tools, plumbing, electrical and cleaning supplies, lawn and garden equipment and some camping gear. However, the Greens also hope to make use of the windows for a more creative merchandise display.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.