For many Lehighton residents, it was a quick stop to pick up keys, screws and other household items.

But, come 5 p.m. Friday, Lehighton Hardware will shut its doors for good after more than 90 years in business.Store co-owner Scott Griffith cited increased operating expenses, along with lower profit margins, rising taxes and increased competition as the primary reasons why the decision was made to close the store.Griffith, who lives in Chicago, co-owns the store with his two sisters, Jane, of Villanova, and Georgene, of Schnecksville.He said the fact that buyers purchase items online, along with the presence of Walmart and Lowe’s, were other factors that resulted in the decision.The store was once a mecca of business from the railroad workers and neighbors. Coal was delivered from the store. In the early days, the store held deeds for people, according to paperwork Griffith found in the store.Window repairs have given way to vacuum-sealed triple pane windows. House locks are becoming keyless entries.The store was basically breaking even over the last five years, said Griffith.“Is it disappointing? Absolutely. But you can’t justify breaking even every year,” Griffith said. “We feel sorry. We thank all the patronage over the years.”Griffith said his family is looking for someone to buy the building, which has been for sale for about a year, and added, “We do have some feelers out there.”Customers, such as John Muffley Sr. of Lehighton, wasted no time taking advantage of the store’s going-out-of-business sale.Muffley said he stopped by the store to pick up some paint, and added that he’ll miss “the store, the people.”So, too, will Carol Roth of Lehighton, who said she and her husband regularly frequented the store for various needs.“I was surprised,” Roth said. “My husband shops here for household items, and I shop for holiday items like lights and flags.”Clarence Getz of Franklin Township said he’s been a customer for years.“I had no idea,” Getz said. “You just keep hoping they will find a buyer.”Getz didn’t have to give it much thought as to what he’ll miss most about the store.“The people,” he said. “It’s personal, knowing the people.”The store has three employees, including manager Linda Guy, who will be retiring after 47 years.Getz said he feels for the employees who will have to look for work elsewhere.“It’s sad,” he said. “I know they were good people; it’s a shame to have it come to this.”The business was founded in 1923 as Lehighton Hardware, and was originally located on First Street (the site of the current Rite Aid store), owned by Mahlon Kistler.A fire destroyed that building in 1964, and the business was moved to its current location, at 116 S. Second St.Scott Griffith’s father, George, and his wife, Betty, purchased the store in 1972 after Mahlon Kistler died. Kistler was George Griffith’s stepfather.The store was then taken over by Scott Griffith and his two sisters in 1998.When Griffith was trying to decide if he should help with the store or go to college, his father pushed him toward college. He never came back.“I am so grateful and blessed that Dad worked hard to give us all an education.”