Low Revenue Caused Closure of Aubuchon​ Hardware

FOXBOROUGH, MA — With the sudden closure of Aubuchon Hardware in Foxborough, many in town have been wondering why the mainstay at the center of town left after 65 years.

According to Town Manager Bill Keegan, the store was simply not bringing in enough revenue.

"The store itself has been unprofitable for 20 years," Keegan said during Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting.

The hardware store located at the center of town closed for the last time Friday, with no notification or reason given to the public. A letter posted on the door notified customers of the closure.

The lack of notice is a corporate policy, according to Keegan.

"They close quickly because they have internal issues and not good things can happen if you don’t close quickly," Keegan said.

The closure is part of the chain's plan to consolidate locations as their downtown model disappears.

"As stores like Home Depot and Lowe's have come to the suburb, there has been less demand for services downtown," Keegan said.

While the store is gone and the disappointment is there, the now-vacant store could be a part of the plan to redevelop the downtown area.

"As I see that property, it has all kinds of potential. Now is the time to start looking at the downtown potential because you have a different type of piece," Keegan said.