A rent hike he couldn't fix. West Ashley Hardware closes after a decade.

WEST ASHLEY — Waylon Cain has spent his life dedicated to fixing things, but a rent increase is one problem he can’t solve. Now, his decade-old business has closed down.

On Aug. 15, the locally owned West Ashley Hardware store, affiliated with True Value, shut its doors for good.

Even as the final hours approached, the store at 1119 Wappoo Road was busy with neighborhood customers popping in and out as they chatted with staff and owner Cain.

“I try to be a positive person,” he told The Post and Courier, “but there’s variables that are beyond my control.”

The rent increase has been his biggest hurdle.

In 2022, Ziff Real Estate Partners, headquartered in Mount Pleasant, purchased the Ashley Oaks shopping center which is co-anchored by Crunch Fitness. The closing price was $12.75 million — more than double the $5.49 million that the seller paid in 2015, according to county records.

“When the new owners bought the building, they increased my monthly rent by $3,000 because of property tax increases,” Cain said. “When I called (the city and county tax offices), they said that’s business as usual.”

Ziff further expanded its West Ashley footprint in March, paying $22 million for West Ashley Shoppes retail center on Orleans Road anchored by World Market and Dollar Tree. The company owns and manages 46 properties in 15 states with a combined 3.3 million square feet of space. One of the firm’s largest local acquisitions was its 2023 purchase of Wando Crossing in Mount Pleasant for $46.75 million. It also acquired the Promenade at Northwoods for $30.75 million in 2025.

Ziff did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

But in addition to the rising rent given Ziff’s acquisition of the 57,690-square-foot site Ashley Oaks shopping center, Cain said his property insurance has tripled in the past six years and rising credit card fees have further exacerbated his hardships.

“I own a hardware store because I’ve fixed things my entire life for people,” Cain said. “I fix my own stuff. But this is something I can’t fix. I can’t control it.”

The West Ashley hardware store went dark with little fanfare. There wasn’t any signage acknowledging the closing the morning of, but staff let shoppers know.

Customers in the store and online were surprised by the news, with many on the West Ashley Connects Facebook page saying they were “heartbroken” and saddened to “see another locally owned business close its doors.”

“It’s time to start shopping small business,” one commenter wrote. West Ashley Hardware was located about a mile from both Lowe’s and Home Depot home improvement stores.

“Waylon and crew always were great to deal with,” Michael Bessinger, co-owner of Bessinger’s Barbecue in West Ashley, said. “Anytime I needed something for my business that I could find there, then that’s where I went.”

As bittersweet as the ending is, Cain said he’s grateful for lasting this long and thanks his loyal customer base “that kept me alive.”

“I was told I couldn't accomplish this well before I even opened the store. I was told I was going to fail in year one by the people who backed me, True Value,” he said. “But the ride has been amazing. I’ve slept in here during hurricanes. I laid every single tile on the floor.”

And for those regulars who worried, Jesus the cat — the gray pet who was a staple at the store and adored by customers — has found a new home.

“Our sweet cat, Jesus, now has a forever home,” employee Jeanne Hagood shared on Facebook. “Thanks to everyone for being concerned and thanks for being such awesome customers.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify who the owner called regarding rent increase.