Neal,I was a very frequent customer of Asheville Hardware. I am a full time furniture maker/artist in the Asheville area. I knew 2 of the employees as friends outside of AH. I can assure you that the employess were not the problem in this case. I visited on a weekly basis because their inventory turned over quickly. I was always amazed at how much lumber, tools and extras turned over in that place. It was very popular. So when you say the "staff" was the problem, I can assure you they were not. They had worked for months without pay and had to get a lawyer (a little over a year ago).
They did not close over Covid, they did not close because of their employees. This was mismanagement from the top. THe owner took them down because of human weakness.
apologies, I didn't mean employees at Asheville Hardware were a problem.
I was discussing the " perfect store" with Tommy...
I meant if you started a new store, finding good woodworking / tool retail sales people is a problem...