Dundee Hardware closing

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:28 pm

Now Baum Drug... now no Dundee Hardware. The owner says he'll close "sometime after Christmas" for financial reasons.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=163 ... nd=8670647

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:08 am

W T F

is going on?

omahapropertymanager · Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:19 am

That sucks! I really like going into the old style hardware stores, and I'd really hate to see Dundee lose it's small town atmosphere. To me that's one of it's biggest charms.

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:20 am

pkiphd wrote:W T F is going on?

It's Called Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Etc.

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:53 am

I wrote my opinion on this in another thread. Basically people want this type of business in the neighborhood for the charm, but want OTHERS to pay the slightly higher prices. When they need a new mower, they go up the street to Lowe's or Sears and pay $30-50 less.

Same thing that happened with Ranch Bowl. People in the neighborhood want to dictate what type of store goes there. However, they want everyone ELSE to keep it open. Sorry, but this is the price you pay for living in a free enterprise society.

HistoricDundee · Post by **HistoricDundee** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:05 am

Dundee Hardware's closing is a terrible blow. They catered to the odd needs of old house owners. It was very convenient to walk down to get the nuts, screws, & wax toilet seal donuts I needed for projects. We also bought my daughter's Radial Flyer wagon from Dundee Hardware.

I can't blame Steve for closing up shop – he has done everything he could to keep the business viable. He recently came up with the phrase: "Save gas, shop Dundee." It seems the only businesses Dundee can support are restaurants and bars. Now more than ever it is important to support local small businesses.

See Steve Schrader's letter of explanation at http://historicdundee.blogsome.com/2005 ... s-closing/

People will want to blame the big stores for our demise. While it is true we did notice their arrival, it is also important to note they are not the reason we are closing. They actually sent us a big percentage of our business. Dundee Hardware has persevered in a difficult market by successfully differentiating ourselves from the big stores. We offered unique goods and services and have thrived because of our niches.

We simply feel victim to the changing way people shop and our longstanding lack of working capital, however; our biggest issue has been this year’s unusually warm weather. Last winter was mild with only one significant snow. Business was great this past spring and then came a summer where nobody wanted to be outside. The past 4 months we experienced a dip in business twice as deep and lasting three times as long as when the first big box store opened in Omaha. Karen and I have used all our available assets to keep the store open as long as we have, but we are unable to recover from the sudden downturn in business these last four months.

We have begun a 20% inventory liquidation sale (10% off snow blowers and floor model spas). The discounts will increase over the next few weeks until everything is gone.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:09 pm

80% chance of NOT closing

During an interview on the wowt 5pm news Steve(owner) said he has had so much support to stay open and offers of financial contributions he is 80% sure he is going to stay open.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:38 pm

found it

Community Steps Up To Save Dundee Hardware

http://www.ketv.com/news/5298550/detail.html

OMAHA, Neb. -- An 11th-hour pledge from a neighborhood saved a 55-year-old Dundee business.

The owner of Dundee Hardware Plus decided recently to close the store for good after Christmas. But when community members heard of the store's financial troubles, several stepped forward to help keep its doors open and have offered to be financial benefactors.

An article in the Omaha World-Herald stirred the residents up enough to get the owner to change his mind about the store's closure. The going-out-of-business signs were already in the store windows when the offer came in to Steve Schrader.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:15 pm

^ That would be great if they stay open. I just went in there on monday and made a purchase. I love that store, the people actually are able to help you out and it is easy to find things that you need without spending 2 hours going up and down each aisle.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:47 am

Schrader said on the KETV news... that he'd now probably stay open thanks to offers of help from local residents.

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:08 am

jhuston wrote:Schrader said on the KETV news... that he'd now probably stay open thanks to offers of help from local residents.

This kind of thing gives me that warm fuzzy feeling about Omaha. It just doesn't happen around here.

omahapropertymanager · Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:39 am

This morning on KFAB they were staying that it is still going to close. I think it's great that all these people are willing to help, but I think it would just be delaying the inevitable, unless they could convince people to shop there on a consistant basis.

omahapropertymanager · Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:00 am

Here's a link to an article in todays OWH.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2065735

Owner Steve Schrader said Sunday that he and his wife, Karen, are continuing with a liquidation sale and plan to close the business.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:33 am

Unfortunate news..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **Brad** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:17 am

I hope they change their minds and stay open. If there is no option but to close, I hope it is replaced by retail. No offices, No resterauant, No condos.

omahapropertymanager · Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:40 pm

Brad wrote:I hope they change their minds and stay open. If there is no option but to close, I hope it is replaced by retail. No offices, No resterauant, No condos.

I agree. I love to old style hardware stores. The problem is, even with this outpouring of support, I doubt they could sustain the amount of business that they are getting now. Unfortunately a couple months down the road, people will have forgot that they were shopping at Dundee Hardware to help save it, and go back to the Lowes, and Home Depots of the world.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:27 pm

I'm ok with it closing, as long as something worthwhile replaces it. Plus, the parking lot on the east side is ridiculous, and for that matter, so is the freaking gas station!!!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:59 pm

The gas station might be good for the area, but absoutely does not fit the "style" or "theme" of the area.

omahapropertymanager · Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:14 am

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:I'm ok with it closing, as long as something worthwhile replaces it. Plus, the parking lot on the east side is ridiculous, and for that matter, so is the freaking gas station!!!

Though I'm not a big anti-parking lot person like a lot of people on here, but how about building a parking garage where that parking lot is now? I'm not sure if there is enough room to do that, but if there was that could be a solution to help with the parking problem without tearing down more buildings.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:37 am

omahapropertymanager wrote:Though I'm not a big anti-parking lot person like a lot of people on here, but how about building a parking garage where that parking lot is now? I'm not sure if there is enough room to do that, but if there was that could be a solution to help with the parking problem without tearing down more buildings.

Somebody must have heard you:

Parking study proposed for Dundee

Omaha World Herald wrote:Councilman Jim Suttle said the parking study will evaluate the available parking spaces and determine how many are needed for the business district near 50th Street and Underwood Avenue.

A garage plan floated earlier this year detailed three different parking plans with up to 330 stalls. The plan was not based on a parking study but designed to determine what was "architecturally feasible" for the area, Suttle said.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:52 am

That study is in response to an idea floated earlier about building a garage with ground floor retail where a strip building now sits (51st and Underwood - with Pizza Hut and a few other businesses, I believe). The hardware parking lot at the intersection of 50th and Underwood (the most visible intersection for Dundee) is not an appropriate place for a garage.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:34 pm

Absolutely, Finn.

And I hope that garage is built. That would be fantastic for Dundee. And that parking lot at 49th and underwood next to the hardware store is the perfect spot for urban infill, and for that matter, so is the gas station. See the "gas-backwards" idea featured in the Destination Midtown document.

Vince Furlong · Post by **Vince Furlong** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:31 pm

The OWH article on Dundee parking today mentioned that the City would pay $30K for a study.

Question: Does not our fair city already have parking experts in our Public Works or Planning Departments? With parking such a big issue in many parts of town, do we not have staff to devise solutions rather than pay a consultant?

Other suggested solutions besides the leap to a parking garage answer:

1. Businesses should offer discounts, coupons, specials, etc. to individuals who walk, bike, or bus to the small business district. The same offer should be made to empoyees (employee benefit) at all the businesses in the area.

2. School lots, church lots, and other lots should be considered in a shared parking plan for the area.

3. Having never had much trouble finding parking within a block of my destination in Dundee, the problem may be limited to a few hours on certain days of the week (help me with an answer on this). Thus, a hip and unique shuttle during these key hours may help shepherd people in and out of the area.

I know the creative folks on this forum could provide other solutions....

Let's keep as many Dundee buildings as we can and add more mixed-use buildings instead of parking structures.

Vince Furlong
Omaha Main Streets

Vince Furlong
Omaha Main Streets

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:55 am

Maybe Sen. Ben Nelson can slip another parking garage for Omaha into the next transportation bill (can't remember, that did stay in the final bill, didn't it?).

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:47 am

Vince, I agree with the overall premise of your statement. However, the proposed parking structure for Dundee would be "mixed-use" as it would comprise ground-floor retail and relocate existing space into the structure (a small infill project). Also, the building that would be demolished for the project is a simple, old one-story strip box with little value (aesthetic or economic - the land is worth more). I believe that the new structure would improve the area, not just the parking situation. I like the idea of using other lots, but there are not very many in the immediate area (for most to be willing to walk to/from) and I don't think most people would be willing to take a shuttle to a restaurant or antique shop for a quick visit (this is not exactly destination retail). I think this garage could provide ample parking and people would walk from it to the businesses of Dundee along those few blocks. It would also alleviate parking problems for years.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:11 pm

As most of you probably have already heard... Dundee Hardware finally closed it's doors.

KETV story contemplating what's next for the property...

http://www.ketv.com/news/7290074/detail ... a&psp=news

I know they've had a lot of requests. The Ruge family owns that building, has had lots of people ask about the space. It's a huge space," Huston said. "I think it sounds like most people in the neighborhood would favor seeing another grocery store go in there. Some type of natural foods."

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:10 pm

again?

midtown charlie · Post by **midtown charlie** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:19 pm

I would love to have a grocery store go in there but........what would that do for Grandpa's business (Granpa's C-Mart). They are really good people and there store has always been a blessing. Mixed feelings I guess.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:17 am

Any day now I’m going see a walmart or starbux or walgreens sign out front.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:00 am

again?

What? You mean you didn't help them stay open, like the rest of us, with a snow blower purchase???

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:42 am

Well I was going to buy that shiny new one but then I realized being such an urban Omahan I don’t have a yard. But I did take a board down there and they charged me $15 to make two cuts in it.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:59 pm

As a Omahan of 31 years next Friday, I grew up in the Saddle Creek/Dundee area. Went to Saunders, Howard Kennedy (WTH was it with elementary schools not having 3rd grade in them in OPS)?, Dundee, L&C & then finally Central. Then, I even stayed in Omaha for UNO. So, who cares, right?

Well, my point is that I'm a midtown Omahan at heart and now live out SW. When we get the chance, we'll still visit the Dell or cruise through some other area businesses, really bringing back some good memories from the area (although the first house I owned was around the Saddle Creek area and the new owners have really let that thing go to you know where!)

As a small business owner and being from the area I've always felt we could thrive with a location placed either around the 72nd St. area or even in Dundee. However, we were recently in initial discussions with the possibility of locating a store in Dundee but things just didn't click right. For one, I love the architecture and the building facades up there. But, from early discussions of rent rates to what was finally presented to me, they increased by about 25%. I love Dundee, but you have to sit back and be honest here. At this point in time, especially with the vacancies of two larger buildings on Underwood, how can the building owners command West Omaha rent rates?

Dundee Hardware obviously closed due to financial issues, which if you think about it, his building is the same building where the other two bays have sat empty for a year or more now. The owner has taken a look at the rent and decided the area can justify higher rates. I, just like any other midtowner doesn't like to see empty bays, but there has to be some draw and incentives to get people (like us) to invest in a store in the area.

Besides, midtown Omaha certainly could use a nice "sweet" spot to stop at. Especially since all of the Baskin Robbins went out of business!

D

midtown charlie · Post by **midtown charlie** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:28 am

Yeah, you shouldn't probably open one there. I don't need to eat more ice cream and I will if it's there......

I had heard the same thing about the rent prices going up as well. I had heard that he was basically running the existing tenets out of Dundee but I don't know how much truth there is to those statements. I guess a higher rent building sitting empty draws in more revenue for the building owner than a lower rent occupied one. I guess my college courses were wrong.

Of course if the parking garage ever gets built this person will be sitting on a gold mine and he obviously knows it. I guess not every landowner in town was cut from the same mold as the Mercers.

midtown charlie · Post by **midtown charlie** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:32 am

......Although Dundee would be a great place one of those high-end chocolate cafe's that are popping up all over the country. I believe Chicago has a bunch of them.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:37 am

How did you know? It's supposed to be a secret, I mean, you can't go anywhere else in Omaha to enjoy gelato ice cream and a chocolate truffle in the same place!

D

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 1:20 pm

Denver buyers say they plan to keep Dundee buildings

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=163 ... rnd=402620

The heart of Dundee will stay intact following the sale of key buildings along Underwood Avenue for $2.5 million.

Two Denver developers bought the former Dundee Hardware building and adjoining KFAB building at auction today.

Clear Channel, the national broadcast company that owns KFAB and other stations, has 15 days to match the winning bid. The company, which has six years remaining on its lease, has given no indication that it plans to exercise the option.

Area residents said they were delighted that the developers do not plan major changes to the two-thirds of the block along the north side of Underwood Avenue near 50th Street.

Michael Opatowski and Stephen Elken, both of Denver, said after winning the bidding on the property that they have no interest in tearing down the existing buildings.

Great news, the buildings are staying!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 1:37 pm

Cool. Now lets get something worthwhile in there.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:49 pm

Trader Joes!

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:50 pm

Hooters

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 3:28 pm

MTO wrote:Hooters

Maybe even a good sports bar/wings place, too.

-Big E