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CHS Northwest plans to divest its final hardware store, Fairway True Value in Lynden, Wa. The company has been looking for a buyer since the fall.
In case the new owner does not intend to retain all employees, the company filed a WARN notice with the Washington State Employment Security Department on Jan. 28, which would permit the business to lay off some or all of its 11 employees. The notice revealed that sales of other CHS-owned locations may be forthcoming. Several properties are currently for sale in commercial real estate listings.
Contrary to several press reports, CHS has no intention of closing the hardware store. According to Eric Ellis, senior director of operations for CHS Northwest, "CHS filed a WARN notice after updating our employees at the Lynden True Value store of our progress on securing a buyer for the business. As our employees learned about in November 2025, CHS is actively marketing the location for sale. Since that time, we have been working with a potential buyer for the Lynden True Value store. We value our employees and are supporting them through this time. It is not our intention to close this location, but rather to find an owner who is more directly focused on continuing and enhancing the retail experience. CHS will continue to operate in the area, with a focus on providing customers and owners with energy and agronomy solutions."
Although Fairway was its last hardware store, CHS Northwest continues to operate six farm and home locations and eight fuel and express locations throughout western Washington.
CHS Northwest's predecessor, Whatcom Farmers Co-op, purchased Fairway True Value in 2013 with the retirement of longtime owner Irv Timmermans. At the time, Whatcom operated two other hardware stores—Blaine Ace Hardware, Blaine, Wa., which it closed in 2017, and Fairhaven True Value, Fairhaven, Wa., which it closed in 2018.
