Yonkers Insider: For Immediate Release: Yonkers City Councilman Anthony Merante: PRESS RELEASE: GRASSY SPRAIN HARDWARE TO CLOSE AFTER 75 YEARS IN YONKERS.

END OF AN ERA: GRASSY SPRAIN HARDWARE TO CLOSE AFTER 75 YEARS IN YONKERS.

YONKERS, NY, June 26, 2025 — After proudly serving the community for 75 years, Grassy Sprain Hardware—a beloved, family-owned fixture on Tuckahoe Road—is officially closing its doors this Saturday June 28th. 

Located at 590 Tuckahoe Road, the store has been a trusted destination for generations of Yonkers residents seeking tools, paint, hardware, and hands-on advice.

“This is more than just the closing of a store—it’s the loss of a true neighborhood institution,” said Councilmember Anthony Merante (6th District). “Grassy Sprain Hardware had it all. It was convenient, reliable, and staffed by people who truly cared. For so many of us, it was part of our daily lives. It will be missed.”

Founded in 1950, Grassy Sprain Hardware—also known as Grassy Sprain Paint & Hardware—became a pillar of the local community. Pearl Speight, wife of original owner William H. Speight, ran the store for over five decades, cultivating a legacy of personalized service and unwavering dedication to her customers. In recent years, her son Rodney “Rod” Speight, along with his brothers Billy and Chris, and Rod’s son Greg, all pitched in to help as Rod reduced his hours. Together, they worked to carry on that legacy, ensuring the family’s values remained at the heart of the business.

 

Even with national chains like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Harbor Freight across the street, Grassy Sprain Hardware remained competitive—thanks to its knowledgeable staff, broad product selection, and hands-on guidance that helped customers complete their projects from start to finish. Councilmember Merante noted that the 6th District has seen an increase in rental housing, where residents are more likely to call a landlord or superintendent than take on home improvement projects themselves. “Homeownership is a key driver of the local economy,” Merante said. “Homeowners invest in their properties and their neighborhoods—something that’s often missing with transient renters.”

Once the doors close, Yonkers doesn’t just lose a business—we lose a piece of our soul,” Merante said. “Grassy Sprain represented the best of what small businesses bring to our city: community, service, and trust built over generations.”

The store’s “Going Out of Business” sale is currently underway.