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Last updated on Friday, January 20, 2012
(BEDFORD) - Owner Tom Bertolino is planning to reopen the George’s Gateway True Value Hardware store in Bedford.
The rubble is being cleared away and Bertolino says there are just not enough mom and pop stores left and he'd like to bring one back to Bedford.
A fire on October 21, destroyed the landmark business at 22nd and M streets. Hundreds of people lined the street while Bedford Fire Department firefighters battled the blaze. The loss of the business, which was opened in 1958 by George Brinegar, saddened the community.
Bertolino plans to rebuild on the existing foundation. He plans to update the business in hopes of competing with Wal-Mart and Lowes. He will have the same floor plan, but with improvements, like lighted display cases on the M Street side of the business.
Although he and his wife Kim have not settled with the insurance company, Bertolino is hoping to start building in March.
Bertolino worked at the store in high school and then returned after college to manage it. He has owned it for the past 16 years. His parents, Bart and Millie, also worked at the store.
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