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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , September 28 , 2016

PUBLIC AGENDA

WEDNESDAY , SEPTEMBER 28

Town of New Windsor Planning Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 555 Union Avenue .

MONDAY , OCTOBER 3

Newburgh Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 1496 Route 300 , Town of Newburgh .

TUESDAY , OCTOBER 4

City of Newburgh Planning Board Work Session , 10 a . m . City Hall , 83 Broadway .

WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 5 New Windsor Town Board , Town Hall , 555 Union Ave ., New Windsor .

THURSDAY , OCTOBER 6

Newburgh City Council Work Session , 6 p . m . City Hall , 83 Broadway . Town of Newburgh Planning Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 1496 Route 300 , Town of Newburgh .

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The Mid Hudson Times , ( USPS 000-5947 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , N . Y . 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . . Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , N . Y . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Mid Hudson Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . 12550

Mel Hales inside Hales Hardware and Home Supplies .

By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com

A steady stream of customers came through the store on a recent Wednesday afternoon , looking for screws , plumbing fixtures and window parts . “ It ’ s an oldschool hardware store ,” said Carl Jack , who came in to buy screws for a shedbuilding project . “ They have everything .”

Hales sells a wide range of hardware , plumbing parts , electrical supplies , paints , home goods , gardening tools and pet supplies . The hardware store also cuts keys and glass for windows , and repairs screens for windows and doors .

The 30,000-square-foot store had shelves lined with power tools , masking tape , work belts , gloves , cleaning supplies , garbage bags , paper towels , light bulbs , lighting fixtures , pots , pans , toilet seats and paints galore . In the front of the store , letters lined a tool-decorated wall , spelling out “ Newburgh ” – a remnant from the former tenant Newburgh

Electrical Supply .

Jack said Hales ’ prices are comparable to big box-store prices . “ A lot of these buildings are older ,” he said , referring to the city ’ s historic housing stock . “ The store has older-style fixtures that you can ’ t find at Home Depot .”

“ It ’ s a dream come true to have a hardware store around the corner ,” said customer Jeff Wallace , noting the closest hardware stores are Brett ’ s True Value on Rt . 32 and Home Depot on Rt . 300 in the Town of Newburgh . “ I try to support local businesses whenever I can .”

Owner Mel Hales showed Wallace where to find window glazing points for a window replacement project . He showed another costumer to the plumbing supplies section at the rear of the store . Hales ’ niece and store manager Tracey Cooper said customer traffic has been spotty since the store opened in June . “ It comes and goes ,” she said .

Hales and co-owner Dianne Dixon opened the store because , he said , plain and simple , the city needed a hardware store . “ You shouldn ’ t have to drive to Home Depot to buy a nail ,” Hales said .

The idea for a hardware store first cropped up during a conversation Hales had a few years ago with former city manager James Slaughter . “ I asked him , ‘ Would you open a business in the City of Newburgh ?’” Hales recalled . Slaughter said yes . “ He said , ‘ Newburgh needs a hardware store .’”

Hales , who worked as a construction manager and general contractor during his career , said it is the first time he has owned a retail store . “ You find a need and you try to fill it ,” he said .

Asked if he was concerned whether there is a large enough market for his products and services , he said , “ I don ’ t feel I ’ m gambling as much as investing . We ’ re giving people what they need rather than what they want .”

The city permits and approvals process took a few months to unfold , with no major issues , Hales said . He is still awaiting an approval from the city Architectural Review Commission for outdoor signage .

Hales Hardware is open 8:30 a . m . to 5:30 p . m . Monday through Friday , and 9 a . m . to 5 p . m . on Saturday . The store is located at 199 Broadway in the City of Newburgh . For more information , visit Haleshardware . com or call 845-562-5126 .