Our Town Revisited: H.C. Layton’s Hardware Store
Legacy of Layton's
BRIDGEVILLE, Del. – Still on our road of remembrance, we’re taking a look back at a story we first shared in October of 1999. Our Town Bridgeville by former WMDT anchor and reporter Kelley Rouse first took us to Layton’s Hardware.
Over 25 years later, we were fortunate enough to have the chance to speak with Mike Layton about the legacy of his family store and how’s it’s survived up until this point.
Legacy of Layton’s
Whether it’s hammer or nails, saws or screws, you can find almost all your workshop needs at Layton’s Hardware Store, and it’s been this way since 1898. The business was originally owned by Harry Cannon, or H.C. Layton, then passed down to Edwin L. Layton, and is currently owned by 86-year-old Michael V. Layton.
Michael said the Layton family has a long history, and at the beginning, there was a bit of family rivalry. “There used to be two Layton hardware stores in Bridgeville. It was a Robert R. Layton, and H.C. Layton and they were cousins, and we competed.”
Long Haul
Ultimately his store became the only Layton’s. Mike says with new inventions, people don’t buy the things they used to, which has really hurt his bottom line. He says without steel power tools; he wouldn’t have made it this long.
“Well, HomeRight chainsaws and generations I sold back in the 90’s. Then HomeRight closed down and Stihl came in, Stihl chain saws and spring trimmers, and they were really a blessing.”
Letting Go
Mike, who raised two daughters, tells us unfortunately, the business won’t make it another generation. He says between the economy, online shopping, and big retails stores, they just can’t keep up. “We might have 10% of what we used to have, I mean 10 % of our customers now, are probably what I had back then.”
Mike says his wife Linda is ready for the Hardware headache to finally end. For Mike, it means letting go of a legacy. “I know I can’t keep it in the family, but I would really love to sell the place instead of liquidating it, because I think I’m about the last of the old-time hardware stores in Sussex County.”
Leaving on a High
In the end, Mike is honored that his family was able to serve Sussex County for the past 126 years and wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Sadly, Mike says they will more than likely close within the next five years, but until they close, you can visit H.C. Layton Hardware at 406 Market Street, Bridgeville, DE, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
