Fairhope Hardware building comes down after over a century

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG) — It's the end of an era and the start of something new in downtown Fairhope.

Demolition crews began tearing down the old Fairhope Hardware building on Friday morning, a building that has sat on the corner of Fairhope Avenue and North Church Street for more than a century.

"It's unbelievable to actually see it start," Fairhope resident Anne Dorman said. "I feel like they've talked about it for so long."

Since the hardware store closed in 2018, the building has remained empty. Over time, the structure was deemed unsafe.

The building is also home to a popular, colorful mural painted by a Fairhope artist. Earlier this month, Fairhope residents gathered for a 'flash mob' to say a final farewell to the piece of art.

"I think most people agree that it's really sad to l