01/02/2024
Happy New Year to everyone !
As we embark on the next chapter of life, defined by the calendar and the clock, I regret to announce the closing of Mower Parts and Supply Co, formally known as Northwest Lawnmower Service, and dating back to the early 1970's
As many Oak Forest, Candlelight, Forest West and Inwood natives may know, the business was started by my parents with considerable help from the Walker and Son Bicycle family in the early 70s during the Houston BoomTown years and operated at the corner of Pinemont and Antoine until 2007. I then had the idea to reopen at the corner of W34th and Mangum in 2011 (hunt me down and set me on fire if you hear of me wanting to do this again).
In spite of being under-capitalized and in debt from the beginning, business seemed to grow steadily from 2011 to 2018, when we had the opportunity to move to Hempstead Road at W34th, next to Turner Hardware.
As 2019 became 2020 and COVID, the energy seemed to grow and sales continued to increase and in April of 2022 we had our biggest monthly sales volume ever. At the end of June 2022 everything seemed to be on even keel as product availability recovered after COVID
The thing about droughts is that they set in quietly, not like a hurricane or an ice storm. they are like the down and out family member who just wants a place to stay for a little while, yet you look up a year later and they're still there, and they've brought in all kinds of their stuff to invade your space. What was brought in little by little in a Honda Civic, now requires a 5 man crew and a 53' trailer to carry away. Not that political and economic factors did not contribute, but the record heat and drought was the fundamental cause of our rapid decline.
Sales have been declining now in 16 of 18 months since July of 2022, we are down by 33% in revenue for 2023 compared to 2022.
With past due payments to suppliers, back taxes, state and federal tax liens, inflexible and uncompassionate landlord, and the winter season ahead for the next 8-10 weeks, we have no choice but to close our doors. All resources of reserve funds and credit, both business and personal have been exhausted just trying to stay open since July.
We will do our best to keep our phone numbers operational as long as possible, and as I have had to take a new job, Andrew Pachuca will be able to take your phone calls and hopefully lead you in the right direction for service. There are no immediate plans to find another location, as there are too many issues to be resolved at the moment.
713-686-8306...........713.686.1339.........346.212.1770
I will post a list of recommended alternative service and parts centers soon.
Thank all of you for your support over the years and best of luck to everyone in the future !!
