Local Portland hardware store owner died

[Dutchman]

My sentiment may have gotten lost in another thread so I thought I'd post a new one for the local Portland folks.

Neils Sorenson died the other day, not sure of the cause, but he was an old guy. His hardware store is our local go-to place for nicer drawer slides, hardware, door knobs, you name it. I'm quite sure his Danish roots of quality drove what his shop is founded by today.

Luckily, the folks who run it for him today are still quality minded and very knowlegeable.

I'll miss the days of busting on Neils for leaving his walker in the doorway for me to walk around....he always loved the ball busting.

Here's to Neils.

[Dancing Dan]

He was a good egg. Thanks for letting me know. Haven't been in in ages.

[topcoatfinishes]

Dutch

I went to USM and worked in the Portland/OOB area during those years. In the winters, I used to shovel driveways and strip/refinish furniture. I used to go to Sorenson's to buy replacement knobs and misc hardware. I don't know if I ever met Neils back then, but it was always a friendly store to go to and it sounds like it really grew alot since 1989. Sorry to hear of the community's loss.

[BOC Contracting]

Sorry to hear that. I started going there just a few years ago and I loved that he was always around the shop. Thanks for letting us know.

-Ben

[Dancing Dan]

I'm sure you met Neils, Scott - tall guy, already had white hair in the late '80's. I can't remember for sure, but I think it was just him and Ira back then.

[Dutchman]

I didn't know him until 2000, and wasn't tall...well, if he stood up straight maybe he was.

He always liked when I brought my dog in the shop...geez, I miss him more already.

[Dancing Dan]

Yeah, he shrank a lot.

[mike maines]

That's too bad, I love going into his store, and I talk to somebody there at least once a week. I never knew Neils when he was tall and his health seemed to decline over the last several years but he was still pretty sharp. Hopefully his employees will be able to continue and grow the business.

[Dutchman]

Hopefully his employees will be able to continue and grow the business.

Oh, they will. Ira, Jim, Gina and Joe know their stuff. And, they (as far as I know) are the only place around Portland who carries anything worth buying.

[mike maines]

I agree, I think they have tremendous opportunity for growth if they want it.

Do you guys ever have Tom Moulton do your paving? He passed away this week too, brain tumor.

[Ted S.]

Sounds like Portland, Maine lost a little slice of Americana. Too bad, sorry to hear a good one's gone.

[Dutchman]

Eek, maybe there's something in the clean water up here, don't know him but Rick Moulton does my floors.