By Chris Barber

Pyle's Home and Supply, that something-for-everyone hardware store just west of Avondale, is going out of business after 90 years of serving the public.

President Jeffrey Pyle made the announcement on Monday. He said the store would be closed early this week and would reopen for liquidation today (Thursday). He estimated that it would close for good shortly after Christmas.

He attributed the action to a poor economy, but also to customers telling him that entering and exiting his store at the intersection of Baltimore Pike and Route 41 in London Grove Township was difficult. Pyle said he had hoped to have store customers exit more safely via the traffic light at WaWa across the street, but that didn't work out.

"I just don't have the energy to continue," he said.

Contacted on Monday, London Grove Township Manager Steve Brown said the path that Pyle desired to the light would, if built, travel through the parking lot of a now-approved WalGreens store.

Pyle's father Buck and brother Philip founded Pyle's home and Supply 30 years ago. Originally, in 1919, it was called Diamond Ice and Coal, later American Consumer Industries, then Passmore Supply.

The store is widely known for selling tools, flooring, automotive supplies, bird and pet supplies, lumber, building materials, paint, hardware and electrical and plumbing supplies. Christmas is virtually a festival at Pyle's with a massive assortment of trees, wreaths, ornaments, lights and accessories.

Pyle said they are prepared to liquidate everything in the store, the building, the lumber, the forklifts and the property on which it sits. Between now and Christmas, they hope to sell everything at discount prices and have already stocked the Christmas inventory totally. Available now are Lionel trains, wood stoves and Eden Pure heaters.

In the near future look for contests that include a grandfather clock giveaway and a $1,000 shopping spree.

Christmas wreaths will still cost $16.99 this year, and Frasier Fir trees will be $24.99.

Pyle said he feels great regret about closing the store and is especially sad for the employees who work there, some of whom depend on their salaries there as their only household income.

Speaking of the recent controversies over the London Grove Township comprehensive plan that could have rezoned the Pyle's corner, he said he is happy that the planning commission decided to provide a town center overlay district there rather than rezone it residential. "Hopefully no other businesses will have to suffer like us," he said.