Hanover Home & Garden receives 'bittersweet' goodbye from community

Related: Pennsylvania garden center to close in July

When they announced that they were retiring after 29 years of business at Hanover Home & Garden, co-owners Dennis Axline and his wife Karen weren't expecting to make such a splash in their Hanover, Pa., community.

Since they made their announcement on June 10, the Axlines say the store has been "overwhelmed" with members of the community looking to get some final shopping in before the doors at Hanover Home & Garden close, as well as express their sadness that their beloved local IGC is shutting down. Axline says customers have told him the business will leave a void in the neighborhood when it closes, which is planned for sometime in July.

"We have been overwhelmed since our retirement was announced on Friday," Axline says. "We're amazed at how effective Facebook was in helping to get that word out. We've had numerous people disappointed with our store closing but have expressed their happiness to see us retire. It makes us feel great to have such an impact on the community. It's all been quite humbling."

In the coming days and weeks, Axline says a main concern is offloading as much inventory from the store as possible before closing. Though they are considering various offers to purchase the business, Axline says he and Karen can't say for sure what will become of the garden center. 

Once retired, the two plan to spend more time enjoying their roles as grandparents, Axline says. And although he and Karen look forward to their free time, Axline says leaving Hanover Home & Garden has not been a painless proposition.

"It's been a great ride for 29 years," Axline says. "We've made lots and lots of friends, and (it) was incredibly rewarding. Traveled to many places for trade shows and business to cities that we wouldn't have normally gone. Our employees have been great as well as our many customers over the nearly 30 years serving Hanover. It's been a bittersweet process."