Yumont Hardware in Jamaica Plain Changes Hands

On Aug. 1, at 702 Centre St. was sold by 13 year owner Arnold Hatinan. The buyer is Albert Meranda, 60, owner of on Centre Street in West Roxbury.

The expanded company has approximately ten employees, four at the JP store. Meranda said that he kept two of the previous staff and has taken over store management himself while his two sons continue to operate the West Roxbury location. Meranda said that he plans to make no immediate changes but that the computer system will absolutely require an upgrade. Ultimately he expects some renovation but plans to be fully operational during all changes.

According to Meranda, he and Hatinan have been friends since the 1970s and over the years an understanding developed between the men that when Hatinan was ready to retire, Meranda was hoping to buy.

While learning the business, Meranda worked under Hatinan, then a vice president at Maxi Holding, a company with several hardware properties in Massachusetts at the time. Meranda lived in JP for about 30 years. As a boy and young man, he worked at Yumont Hardware for seven years under a previous owner, Henry Winkler.

When pressed about staff or other changes, Meranda emphasized his plans to make as few changes as possible. He said that he kept two of Hatinan's staff and brought experienced hardware clerks with him from West Roxbury. Although he wouldn't say exactly how many were let go, the numbers indicate two or three. He emphasized the importance of service, local connections and the viability of Yumont. He said that the biggest difference between local hardware stores and the big box stores is in the staff's knowledge of product and skills. According to Meranda, each member of his staff knows a lot about a lot when it comes to the trades and hardware.

When asked about the effect of the recession on his business, he said "Most well-run hardware stores have not been hurt as much by the recession as (have) other retailers."  He also added that Yumont Hardware has been in business in JP since the 1950s and he had absolutely no plans to change the name. "JP is an excellent location. There's a big influx of students here and there are many apartments, lots of activity."       

Meranda said that he will assume the previous lease however he would not reveal any of the terms. He also indicated that the deal was not entirely in cash but he preferred not to elaborate. He intends to join the local business organizations.