Soukup's Hardware to close its doors after more than 80 years in Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN – Soukup's Hardware & Appliances – which has been part of Glen Ellyn's business landscape for more than 80 years – will close its doors by the end of the month.

The Soukup family has sold the building at 419 Main St. in downtown Glen Ellyn, which houses the hardware store along with 32 apartments, Soukup's co-owner Ryan Soukup said. Soukup said he does not know what the new owner plans to do with the building.

"It is just time to sell it," Soukup said, adding that declining sales at the store went into the decision to sell the building.

Soukup's Hardware first opened a store in Elmhurst in 1920 and has been operating in Glen Ellyn since 1932. A going-out-of-business sale begins Jan. 5, and the sale is set to continue through Jan. 28.

Soukup's is one of the oldest businesses in Glen Ellyn. Several longtime Glen Ellyn businesses have closed in recent years, including the McChesney and Miller grocery store and Giesche shoe store. Young's Appliances, which last year celebrated its 85th year in business, is the village's oldest retail business.

After Soukup's announced Jan. 3 it was closing, a stream of well-wishers came into the store, including longtime customer Bill Miller.

"I've been coming to the store since I was a little kid," the longtime Glen Ellyn resident said. "It's a place where you could still get the little things that you needed. I buy all my propane here and my Christmas tree lights."

Over the years, Miller has developed a strong friendship with Soukup, and the two have attended Chicago Cubs games together.

"Ninety percent of my Cubs merchandise is from Soukup's," Miller said. "I will miss the friendship of Ryan."

The store's shelves are still full of merchandise celebrating the Cubs' recent World Series championship. Along with the store's merchandise – including paint and painting supplies, appliances, barbecue grills, and hand and power tools – the store's fixtures also are part of the going-out-of-business sale.

Soukup, who has been managing the store since 1985, said he also will miss seeing customers like Miller, as well as the employees and vendors he has worked with over the years. He said the store prides itself on its strong customer service.

"Customer service breeds customer loyalty," he said. "I will miss the people the most. That's what it's all about."

Soukup said he doesn't know what he will do next, but he hopes his next job will provide as much interaction with people as his current one.

"I don't want to be behind a desk with a computer," he said.