Today is the last day of business for Hawley’s Auto Supply and they are hosting a benefit party as well.
Hawley’s Auto Supply Owner Lance Ballard told Discover Ferndale he purchased the store from Bill Zender in 2005. He also opened a store in Oak Harbor in 2006 but closed it shortly after during the recession in 2008. Hawley’s has been open seven days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years since Ballard took over.
Ballard said the store staff had built a reputation on a total customer service experience. It was not unusual to see them out in the parking lot under a customer’s car hood or helping install windshield wipers.
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Click for more informationBallard said closing now was mostly the result of following doctor’s orders to avoid stress. He is not planning anything specific going forward except to continue dealing and trading in classic cars and parts online.
The 5 displaced employees have already begun receiving job offers, said Ballard. Inventory will be liquidated by a third-party and Ballard expects to be putting the delivery vehicles up for sale.
From 2pm to 8pm today, there will be a car and bike show in the parking lot and the store will be kept open late on this last day of business. There will be hot dogs, a raffle and silent auction. The portion of 1st Avenue between the store and Ferndale True Value Hardware will be closed to traffic at that time.
The car and bike show is a benefit for Tyler King, a friend of Ballard’s, and the event now also serves as a going-away party for Ballard, staff and Hawley’s Auto Supply customers.