Tyler Hobbs paints the upcoming Wigal Hardware & Supply building Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

A new locally owned hardware store is preparing to open in Belpre later this summer, with owners aiming to provide residents and contractors with a wide range of supplies and services.

Wigal Hardware & Supply is expected to open in late June, according to owner Kyle Wigal, taking residence in the former Peoples News building on Washington Boulevard.

“We want to provide Belpre with a hardware store,” Wigal said, noting the closure of Badger Do It Best Lumber inspired the decision.

The business will offer plumbing and electrical supplies, general hardware, power tools, hand tools, paint, lawn and garden products and seasonal items such as salt during the winter months.

Wigal said the store is designed to serve both contractors and do-it-yourself customers.

“We’re mainly going to be a hardware store that carries just about everything,” he said.

In addition to the retail space, the company is also operating a warehouse that will house larger materials and supplies that cannot fit inside the main store. The warehouse will stock items including conduit and PVC plumbing materials.

The warehouse space will also contain four offices for Wigal’s other businesses, including Wigal Electric.

Wigal said the business is still completing final construction and cosmetic work ahead of the planned opening.

“There’s still a little bit of construction going on,” he said. “We’re doing some painting on the exterior of the existing building.”

The business is currently hiring employees as it prepares to open, and more information is available on their Facebook page, Wigal Hardware & Supply.

Wigal said customers visiting the store will also be able to speak with staff about electrical projects through the company’s electrical division.

“People are more than welcome to walk in, and if they need help with an electrical project or want to talk to somebody about an electrical project, they’ll have the ability to do that as well,” he said.