One of this village’s largest employers will be closing its doors for good this summer, after 30 years of service to the local community.
Due to falling commodity prices and the failing economy, Harron’s Rona in Moorefield will cease operations at the end of August. Harron’s will be consolidating the Parkview Drive store with its other location in New Dundee.
“It’s been a hard decision … It’s not the easiest thing to do,” said owner Harvey Harron. “But we’re like the auto industry; we have to deal with the changing times.”
He explained he has been considering the move since November, as most lumber yards have been struggling for about a year now, faced with the lowest commodity prices since the 1970s.
“[And] we don’t see it improving next year,” he said. In fact, he does not see the situation changing until the American housing market improves – and no one seems to know when that will happen.
Harron is particularly concerned about the 58 employees at the Moorefield store, who were informed of the closure on May 28.
“We’ve had a good team of people here,” he said, noting many have worked at the Moorefield location for a very long time.
Some will be offered positions at the New Dundee location, which has been the more profitable of the two stores. The others will, he hopes, be able to pick up work at other Rona stores.
“We’re working to try and place them somewhere,” Harron said. He hopes to help find solutions for most employees in the next few weeks.
Mapleton councillor and Moorefield resident Dennis Craven said losing Harron’s Rona will be devastating for the village.
“It’s a bit of a disaster for our community,” Craven said, adding the business has been a vital part of the village for decades. “We’re certainly going to miss them.”
Some inventory at the local store will make the move to New Dundee, while the rest will be put on sale in Moorefield, Harron said. Sales have actually been ongoing for a few weeks now, he added.
Harron said he is not happy about what the move may mean for local employees, but the company has no choice.
“It’s never good,” he said. “But we’re better off consolidating into one location.”
Craven said he hopes to meet with Harron this week to discuss any ideas about a new business moving into the building. He added council will do whatever it can to help with such a move.
