After 31 years of business in Tumwater, Southgate Ace Hardware will wind down its operations over the next several weeks with a liquidation sale, longtime owners Ray and Pam Berschauer say.

The first 25 years in business were a gold mine, Ray Berschauer said, but the store at 5203 Capitol Blvd. began to feel the pressure of increased competition. Southgate Ace Hardware is located just east of Interstate 5 near Trosper Road. Just west of the freeway is a growing retail area that includes Fred Meyer, Costco, The Home Depot and Walmart.