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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A long-standing Fort Simpson business is preparing to close its doors at the end of the month.

Kirby Groat stands among some of the remaining inventory in Deh Cho Hardware in Fort Simpson. Kirby and his wife Wendy are closing the store after approximately 25 years in business. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Kirby and Wendy Groat have started to take steps to close Deh Cho Hardware. The couple began the business from scratch in approximately 1988.

"We've been at it for 25 years and it's time to move on and to do other things," Kirby said.

Kirby started in business in Fort Simpson in 1986 repairing and servicing small motors under the name Deh Cho Sports. The couple later switched to the hardware store business and created Deh Cho Hardware, which operated from a property in the village's industrial area.

At the time, the village didn't have a hardware store. Two previous stores, Igloo Building Supplies and Valley Hardware, were no longer operating.

"We started the business to fill the need. It's now available for the next person to come along," Kirby said.

In approximately 2003, the couple moved the store to its current location on main street for the greater convenience of customers. The business was really a traditional general store because almost everything could be found there, he said. The store's inventory ranged from lumber to paint and gardening supplies to birthday gifts.

Kirby said he and his wife enjoyed owning Deh Cho Hardware.

"We've had a great time," he said.

Interacting with customers is something that Kirby enjoyed. There was always something to do and challenges to overcome, he said.

"I appreciate all the support we've had for all the years from the people here," said Kirby.

The Groats now plan to focus on one of their other businesses, Deh Cho Suites, saying they'd become too diversified. Running the hardware business in Fort Simpson has also become more challenging.

"All the expenses are going up," he said.

The business also needs to be modernized, including the addition of a computer system to track inventory instead of doing it manually, Kirby said. The couple hopes that someone will start a new business to fill the void that will be left when the store closes. The service is needed in the village and there is enough business in the region to support it. A more diversified market is also on the horizon with Prairie Creek Mine and work from Enbridge Pipeline Inc., he said.

The couple have been looking to sell the store for approximately the past six years, but didn't do any advertising. In the past few months, they've been actively looking for buyers.

In the meantime, the Groats are liquidating the store's inventory. The sales will get bigger and bigger as the end of the month draws closer, Kirby said.

With the closure of the store imminent, Kirby said it is difficult to let it go.

"I've enjoyed it for years," he said.

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