Editorial
100 years and community service

Many times in business the focus is on reporting the financial down swings, the concerns about the big box stores and other economic struggles.

This weekend we get to do something special. We get to celebrate (with cake and everything) the 100th anniversary of the founding of Aubuchon Hardware in Fitchburg and now based in Westminster.

The company founded by William E. Aubuchon Sr., a Fitchburg resident, at 112 Fairmont St. The company now includes 130 stores across New England and New York.

During this centennial year, the Aubuchon family is taking the community service up one more level and establishing the Aubuchon Hardware Foundation, which will provide grants to worthy organizations and causes at both the community and regional levels where Aubuchon Hardware conducts business.

The goal of the Foundation, which will receive its seed money this year and will hopefully begin distributing grants within the next three to four years, is to make an impact on the community.

"Giving back is important," William Aubuchon III, the company's CEO, said.

This Foundation will give out larger scale grants through an application process but it will also continue the five-year tradition of letting local stores raise smaller amounts of money to help their communities.

The Aubuchon family is building what will truly be a new legacy for the company and in the family name. They will proudly be able to stand behind a recent statement from Bernard Aubuchon Jr.

"This is a real American success story as a business and a family," he said.

So take a moment tomorrow and stop by one of the local Aubuchon Hardware Stores (Park Hill Plaza in Fitchburg; 765 North Main St. in Leominster, or in Gardner) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a slice of cake and a pleasant shopping experience.