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COVID-19 and Hippo Hardware

Posted on March 23, 2020 | 6 Comments

Dear Hippo Customers,

Please forgive our delay in reaching out. It’s been a very hectic time for everyone, including our staff and ownership. For the safety of our community, our last day open to the public was Thursday March 19th. We have since had to lay off 90% of our staff, some of whom have been with us for decades. It was a heartbreaking decision but we are simply unable to offer a livable income right now. We deeply thank them for all their hard work and sincerely hope to rehire them once this crisis is over.

Our situation:

Hippo took out a loan to make sure all staff left with cash for all 2020 paid time off (vacation, sick, and personal). We are unsure of the future at this point as it’s unknown how long this all will last. Our plan is to shift our business online as much as possible and continuing working safely from our store.

What we are doing:

  • Online orders: We are fulfilling web orders and greatly appreciate your financial support. We will be listing new products online as quickly as we can in addition to packing and shipping out orders. We are shipping out twice a week. 
  • Email: We are still responding to email, although slower due to the deep reduction in staff. Please send in any questions you may have as well as products you’re looking for and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able.
  • Gift Certificates: We now have online gift certificates! If you can, please consider purchasing one to help us weather through this time.
  • Returns: At this time, we are not able to process returns. When we reopen, we will have a 30-day return window for all purchases made online or in store any time after February 17th.
  • Repairs/rewiring: We are looking into offering light fixture rewiring and lock rebuilding through the mail. If you’re interested in either of these services, please contact us.
  • Video/Blog/Newsletters: We are exploring new ways to communicate and hope to turn this difficult time into a source of new creativity. We will keep you posted on any new experiments!

In closing: Thank to you all so much for all the support. We know this is hard on everyone. We have faith in our amazing, resilient, creative, resourceful Portland community that we can all make it through maybe even a little brighter than before.


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6 Responses

Sheila Salerno
Sheila Salerno

August 07, 2020

Are you reopened yet? June 15, traveling through OR. Thanks

Lorna
Lorna

May 15, 2020

I wish you all the very best in these difficult times, and I hope you’re able to bring everyone back once things return to “normal”! We visit every time we’re in Portland—you’re our favorite stop.
Thank you; stay safe and be well!

Patricia Kozak
Patricia Kozak

May 15, 2020

Hello, I am looking for a light fixture for outside the front door of our cabin in the woods. I would prefer to buy from you rather than anyone else. The style I am looking for is a pendant farm house style light that would hang down from the overhang over the front door of tiny guest cabin. Could you send me pictures of any options you may have? Also wondering when you will be opening?

The kids second hand consignment store I go to to drop of old toys/clothes is open for drop offs and also she is having people shop in her store and only allowing 6 people in her store at a time. Wondering if you could do something like that? I would love to shop for a light for my cabin.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sarah
Sarah

May 15, 2020

Hi, I have an old family floor lamp I’d like re-wired as it no longer works. I was hoping I could just drop it off curbside if someone is fixing things in the store. And then I can pick it up curbside when complete? Not sure you have this capability. Please let me know, Sarah

Teri
Teri

May 15, 2020

I was hoping that you would extend your return period as I bought some doorknobs that didn’t work out. Glad I didn’t have to bother you with a call to check, or spend time worrying over it. No need to contact me unless you want to, I’m sure you’re busy! I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your doing what you can to help and protect your employees during this time, and when I checked open hours/returns I was really pleased to read what you had done re pay and vacation time! Thanks!

Elaine
Elaine

May 15, 2020

I just have a question about my recent purchase

Will I be able to return the items after you reopen?

Stay safe and thank you

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