Humphrey Street fixture to close its doors

SWAMPSCOTT – After 29 years, a Swampscott fixture is shuttering its doors.
Humphrey Street Hardware/Flaghanger at 460 Humphrey St. is going out of business at the end of the week.
Marblehead resident Hunter Craig, who owns the small family business, said he has no choice but to close up shop due to a tanking economy, chain home improvement stores popping up in the area and uncertainty about the future of the property the business occupies.
?It’s the perfect storm,” he said. “I just can’t continue on. The economy is bad. Everyone says they hate the big box stores, but everyone goes there.”
Craig started selling flags in addition to his hardware supplies in the mid-1990s as a way to supplement their income because he had a daughter in high school who was getting ready to head off to college. Over the years, the flags became as much of a fixture in the shop as the hardware and tools, which lined the shelves.
Craig said closing the family-operated hardware store after almost three decades is devastating.
?It’s very emotional,” he said. “It’s very tough. I have a lot of good customers. It’s pretty depressing.”
Craig said he would remain open during regular hours this week, but he is starting a new job elsewhere next week.
As for his screen repairing business, which customers rave about, Craig said it is something he might continue to do from his home in the future.