'Poor Economy' To Blame For Wickford Lumber Closing

After more than four decades in business, Wickford Lumber Co. closed its doors last week for good. Though the store's closing last Monday at 5:30 p.m. seemed abrupt to many customers, it was a long time coming according to one employee.

Ed "Chief" Klosowski said that the poor economy and changing trends made it difficult for Wickford Lumber to stay afloat, forcing the store's owners to close up the business.

"There was just seven or eight years of bad economy and just not enough business to support the company," said Klosowski.

The store began to see a decline in customers over the past few years as more homeowners began to spend less on home repairs and other projects, said Klosowski. He added that many people who are spending money were just "putting on Band-Aids" instead of repairing the problem.

Though Wickford Lumber took a slight hit following the opening of Home Depot on Ten Rod Road in the 1990s, Klosowski said that business bounced back.

"When you compared price and quality, [Home Depot] couldn't come close to us," said Klosowski. 

We're sorry to see the store – with its popcorn dispenser – go.