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By Mary Beth Martin
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Hackley’s Store will close for business on Christmas Eve, ending 64 years of continuous operation for the general merchandising store in Amissville. However, the Hackleys said it will likely reopen in March under different management.
The store’s closing will mark the end to three generations of the Hackley family business, which is like a mini-Wal-Mart, selling take-out food, groceries, clothing, boots, tools, gas and propane.
“It’s going to be a sad day,” said owner Ron Makela about the closing on Thursday.
Makela and his wife, Janet, have run the store for the past eight years. She is the daughter of former owner, Emmett Graham Hackley, commonly known as “E.G.” Formerly a captain in the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Makela said he met Jan when she was working as a teacher in Virginia Beach. She now works for the school system as the volunteer coordinator. Except for being definite about staying in Amissville, he said his plans are otherwise uncertain.
The reason the family made the decision to close was based on several factors, Makela said. The 13-hour-days and six-day-weeks was the first reason that he mentioned.
“It has been an enjoyable experience,” but the family wants to have more free time, especially time to travel with their 9-year-old son, Joshua, he added.
Another reason he mentioned for the store closing was the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement for a computer monitor on the gas tank. The $3,500 to $4,000 for the equipment and installation was just too costly to justify, he said.
In addition, their insurance company would not renew the store’s coverage unless the kerosene space heaters were replaced with another heating system. He said, in order to make the change, the aging building would have to be insulated, requiring a building permit. Doing so would oblige the store to adhere
See HACKLEY, Page A6
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