Pollock Hardware for sale

One of the North End’s most timeless institutions is up for sale.

“It’s time to retire,” said Wayne Cash, 63 and owner Pollock Hardware.

“I’ve been working for 50 years and I’ve been burying my friends or watching them retire and it’s time for me to catch some sunshine.”

Pollock Hardware has been in the North End on at 1407 Main St. for 84 years. During that time, it has survived everything from the Great Depression to big box stores moving into the area.

Cash said the store still makes money and said the reason the store survives is the expertise of the staff, extensive quality stock and willingness to sell someone one nail or 1,000 of them.

“We have things during the winter that other stores only have during the summer,” said Cash.

What he says seems to be true – in the front window of the store is a bright red Radio Flyer wagon. Inside, the well-worn wood floors are being swept by a young volunteer out to earn merit badges for scouts.

The Green Team works out of the back, and the store is a graffiti voucher depot for the City – if a store has been tagged, owners can go to Pollock for some paint.

Cash said the store has already received four or five calls from prospective buyers.

“We’ve had a few feelers out but there but no cheque has crossed my table yet. These things are complicated, selling a business is complicated. You have realtors and the government...it could take days, weeks, months, years.”

Cash, who is the plant manager for Aristo-Print Name Plates & Decals on Winnipeg Avenue said he works at the store on Saturdays.

His wife, Lois, is the store manager.

Cash said the first thing he and Lois plan to do is go on their first vacation in 30 years.

“We’re going to the Caribbean in February to soak up the sun,” he said happily. “We’re both workaholics. This will be fun.”

Cash said his four daughters approve of the sale of the business.

“They were pretty happy for me...the grandchildren are getting older, I want to spend some time with them.”

Cash has three grandchildren.

The price of the business and the property is $389,000.

“It’s time for someone younger and more energetic to take it over. I’m not 23-years-old anymore.”