124-Year-Old Hardware Legend Shuts Final Fargo Store — 10 Facts

Fargo is saying farewell to a store that has served the community for generations. Scheels Home & Hardware, the company’s last remaining hardware location, will close by the end of 2026 after 124 years of business. What began as a small general store evolved into one of the country’s largest sporting goods retailers. This final chapter, however, is as much about local memories, longtime employees, and Fargo’s agricultural roots as it is about shifting retail strategies.

The Final Hardware Store Closes in 2026

Scheels Home & Hardware will close its Fargo location by the end of 2026, marking the end of the company’s traditional hardware business model. For decades, the 13th Avenue South shop supplied residents with tools, paint, patio furniture and housewares. After the May 2026 announcement, loyal customers still have months to visit what was the nation’s final Scheels hardware store and to reminisce about the familiar inventory and service.

The Decision Came Down to Business Focus

The company cited a need to concentrate on its core sporting goods operations in the Fargo–Moorhead area. Chief Employee Owner Matt Hanson said the decision reflects how the business has evolved and emphasized that the local staff’s performance was strong—this was not a closure prompted by employee issues. Instead, it was a strategic move to align resources with the areas the company sees as its future growth engines.

The Company Began With Potatoes

Scheels traces its origins to 1902 in Sabin, Minnesota, when Frederick A. Scheele used $300 earned from a 3-acre potato crop to open a small hardware and general merchandise shop. Over time, the family name evolved and the business expanded. More than a century later, the company’s decision to close its last traditional hardware store is a symbolic end to an era that began with agriculture and local entrepreneurship.

Fargo Kept the Original Spirit Alive

When Scheels expanded into the region decades ago, it eventually established corporate functions nearby. The Home & Hardware location preserved an old-school retail atmosphere long after the company’s focus shifted to large sporting goods destinations. For many area residents, the store served as a reminder of the practical, everyday merchandise Scheels once prioritized before athletic and outdoor gear dominated its offerings.

A Bigger Store Than the Name Implies

Calling the Fargo location a simple hardware store understates its scope. Scheels Home & Hardware carried a wide array of apparel, home décor, furniture and grilling equipment, as well as custom paint and design services. Shoppers could browse patio sets, grab tools for a DIY project, and eat at the on-site café in a single visit. That variety made routine errands feel more like a destination experience.

Sporting Goods Became the Core Business

As Scheels expanded, sporting goods became its primary focus. The brand now operates 34 locations across 16 states and employs more than 13,000 people. When a retailer shifts heavily into a new category, maintaining a smaller, older division can become impractical. While the Fargo store held strong sentimental value, business strategy and profitability drove the decision to concentrate on the company’s most successful formats.

Employees Will Have Opportunities Elsewhere

Because Scheels is employee-owned, the company plans to help affected staff transition into open roles nearby or elsewhere within the organization. Leadership praised the Home & Hardware team for its service and made retention and redeployment a priority. That approach helps soften the impact of the closure and reflects a commitment to employees even as the company reallocates resources.

New Stores Will Continue the Sporting Goods Expansion

Scheels plans to open new sporting goods locations in Cedar Park, Texas, in 2026 and Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, in 2027, with additional locations slated for Blaine, Minnesota and Oklahoma City by 2028. These openings underscore a deliberate corporate shift toward larger, experience-focused stores. Rather than contracting, the company is investing in the divisions it expects to deliver the best long-term returns.

Local Competition Adds Context

A Home Depot location sits just two miles from the Scheels Home & Hardware site in Fargo. While Scheels did not point to that rival as the primary cause for the closure, the proximity highlights a competitive home-improvement market. Industry data showed Home Depot holding significant market share across key categories in recent years, highlighting how large-format competitors shape local retail dynamics.

Other Longstanding Hardware Stores Have Also Closed

The closure follows a broader trend of veteran hardware stores shutting their doors. In recent years, family-run and regional hardware retailers have closed for a variety of reasons, from retirements without buyers to competitive pressures. Scheels’ decision stems from its unique growth path and corporate priorities, but the result is familiar: another traditional retailer reaching a turning point as consumer habits and market structures evolve.