Vernon Hardware Closes After 87 Years | Durham News

After 87 years of serving the community with everything from nuts and bolts to car parts, Vernon Hardware & Auto Parts has shut its doors — a sudden closure just a week before its planned July 31st exit. Founded by Fred Eberly in 1939 and passed down through generations, the family-owned store was once affiliated with True Value and Napa, cementing its reputation. Current owners Andy Fults and Betsy Ethington tried to find a new family to carry on the legacy, but it didn’t work out. The emotional toll is palpable — this isn’t just a business closing, it’s the end of a multi-generational story. It echoes similar losses elsewhere, like Florida’s Miller’s Hardware, where a third-generation owner’s son died unexpectedly, ending that line. Now, Fults and Ethington look forward to rest and reflection before deciding what comes next — a quiet farewell for a place that was more than just a store. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ec3852723e8c1618