Hassett Hardware to reopen Wednesday: Woodside Plaza hardware store to soft open following monthslong closure due to car crash into store

The soft opening was chosen to get customers in as quickly as possible and to serve the community ahead of the summer months. Over the next four to six weeks, final touches will be made, last-minute inventory will be stacked and displays will be finalized before a grand opening celebration July 12. 

“By then, we’ll have it looking exactly the way we want it to,” Hassett said. “The last 10% of details is the hardest 10%.” 

This reopening is special for store manager Sarah Carr, who first joined the Hassett’s family’s business enterprise — which operates six storefronts — in 2010. Starting from a cashier, Carr has grown throughout the business and helped open the Redwood City location in 2014.  

“I’m so happy,” Carr said. “I was here when we first opened, so this is the second time we’ve built this store from the ground up.”

While the shop was entirely gutted, and new floors were installed due to the fire and water damage, most of the store looks the same as before. Inventory was expanded, and there’s more options for contractor customers, Carr said, but the most visible adjustments are tweaks installed after the crash exposed safety concerns. 

The entrance door is shifted over a few feet, cashiers were also moved slightly so each register is behind a concrete wall rather than window glass, and bollards were installed outside to prevent drivers from hitting the storefront, again. Aside from the crash in December, the store has been hit three times since the shop opened. 

The day of the car crash, Dec. 15, Hassett said he knew immediately he wouldn’t reopen the store without bollards — a cost that came out of the business’ budget after the shopping plaza’s landlord refused to install them. 

“I’m feeling really good about that, and have peace of mind not having to worry about our employees, our customers,” Hassett said. “We’re not immune to an accident.” 

Since the fiery car crash, the support of the community has been heard consistently by Hassett and Carr’s staff. By reopening the shop just under the six-month anniversary of the accident — and months before initially projected — the hardware store can return to serving Redwood City and Woodside residents. 

Ahead of Wednesday, Carr has the popcorn machine ready, a garden center fully stocked and ready to go, and a staff eager to serve customers. Hassett said patrons will be welcomed into an upgraded version of a place they once knew.  

 “They’re going to find the same store they’re used to with some new enhancements, some plastic surgery,” Hassett said. 

The Hassett Ace Hardware store in Redwood City, located at 292 Woodside Plaza, will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday.