With the news late last month that Tuxis True Value Lumber & Hardware, a shoreline staple since 1961, was purchased by regional hardware and lumber company Ring’s End, people have asked what would change with new ownership at the Bradley Road location.

Madison Ring’s End General Manager Bill Ryan said Ring’s End has kept on more than a dozen employees from Tuxis.

“When we met everyone, they were such a great group of people and still are and I think that is one of the things that people like coming here is the people,” he said. “I think we are very fortunate that we are walking into an organization that already has great people and already has the reputation for having great people and we want to continue and build upon that.”

Ryan said the location in town was attractive to the company because of the location and the history of Tuxis in the area.

“Madison is a great town...and we wanted to come in and provide the community with what they get here know,” he said. “A lot of hardware, a lot of great customer service, and maybe bring in some of the things we do well, like more window and door offerings, a larger selection of lumber, and just be able to service some of the customers that land between our Branford and Niantic locations a little bit better than we were before.”

Ring’s end, which was founded in Darien in 1902, started out by supplying coal, grain, hay, feed, and flour. Over the years the company widely expanded its offering, and Ryan said Madison customers will have access to many products and services not previously provided at Tuxis including things like Benjamin Moore paints. Ryan said the chain’s centralized distribution will allow the location to service the contractor base a little more, too.

Hours at Ring’s End on Bradley Road are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.