Saying Goodbye to Benjamin Brothers: Tenafly’s 80-Year Hardware Staple Closes Saturday

For the last 80 years, 121 North Summit Street has been the place Tenafly residents went to fix a leak, match a paint chip, or just get advice on a project they were afraid to start. But that history ends this week. Benjamin Brothers True Value Hardware is closing its doors for good.

The family-owned business confirmed the news recently on social media. According to WMTR AM, the store’s final day of operation is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026.

This isn't a sudden stop. The wind-down began earlier this month, with the same report noting that the store stopped accepting returns and closed its "house accounts" back on January 1. They have spent the last few weeks selling off remaining inventory.

The owners have kept their public statements brief and focused on gratitude rather than the specific reasons for closing. According to Patch, the family called the move a "difficult decision" and noted it had been an honor to serve the community since 1946. They emphasized how grateful they were for the "memories, relationships, and experiences" they built with customers over eight decades.

Losing the Town's "Muscle Memory"

The reaction from locals highlights something you don't get from online shopping. It is the loss of a safety net.

According to NJ 101.5, the hardware store was part of the area's "muscle memory." It was a reliable constant where people could walk in with a problem and walk out with a solution. Long-time residents have been sharing stories about visiting the shop as children with their parents.

That kind of continuity is becoming rare.

The Cost of Empty Storefronts

The closing of Benjamin Brothers is part of a difficult trend for local commerce. When a town loses a business like this, it loses more than just a place to buy screws.

There is a real economic impact. According to Sustainable Connections, independent businesses recirculate a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy compared to chain competitors. This money goes to local taxes, other local service providers, and donations to community groups.

There is also the loss of expertise. A local hardware store functions as a knowledge hub. According to Do it Best, the main advantage of these shops is the specific advice they offer. The staff at Benjamin Brothers knew the age of the homes in Tenafly. They knew which plumbing parts fit the local infrastructure and which ones didn't. When the doors lock on Saturday, that institutional knowledge goes away too.

Final Days

Benjamin Brothers will remain open through January 31. Residents have a few days left to stop by, pick up some final supplies, and say goodbye to a team that has helped keep Tenafly running since the 1940s.