Staple Bros Paint and Hardware closes after nearly 60 years of business

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A hometown hardware is closing up shop after nearly 60 years of business. 

Staple Bros Paint and Hardware opened its doors back in the 1968 on 34th and Burleigh, with seven brothers coming together to operate the store. 

Most of the brothers moved away or found different companies to work at, and now 88-year-old Lester Junior is the sole operator at Staple Bros, but given his old age, he's decided to close the business. 

We spoke with Lester's brother, Edward, who says Staple Bros has been a staple for the community. 

"We're going to miss all the people in the community, unfortunately. We loved that relationship we had for the last 56 years. So, we're going to be missed probably like the community is going to miss us. And hopefully someone will take over this building and do something similar," said Edward Staples. 

The store had gone through a lot through the years. Back in 2016, it was one of the few stores in the area that survived riots that burned local businesses, which later led to rejuvenation projects like the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace.