Long-serving Delhi business set to close later this year
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For more than 108 years, Delhi Paint has stood at the corner of Main Street and Wellington Avenue.
The business, owned by Bev Heath, is being recognized with a lifetime achievement award by the Delhi and District Chamber of Commerce for long standing businesses in the community.
The award comes at a bittersweet time. While Heath is proud of the rich history of the building, she has decided to retire in October – Oct. 31 to be exact, 29 years after she first took over the business.
“Debbie (Travale-McCleary) and I are definitely going to miss the people. We are definitely people persons,” said Heath. “I've always had the best customers. I'm really going to miss it. I know I am going to miss it.”
Heath chose to close Delhi Paint because Benjamin Moore has decided to discontinue its top selling product and new equipment would need to be purchased to sell the new line.
“The thing I hate to see even worse than retiring is Delhi losing another business,” she said.
She hopes someone will take an interest in opening a new paint store in town, just not at the same location where the historic Delhi Paint store currently sits. Heath will continue to live in the house at the rear of the store. She plans to keep the storefront, however she has no plans as to what, if anything, will take its place.
The store was originally established by Albert Wilson in 1904. Wilson's son, Arther J. Wilson, would eventually take over the family business after returning home from war due to the death of his father.
In 1937, Jim Webb purchased the store and renamed it Delhi Paint & Wallpaper. It remained in the family for 39 years.
In 1976, Al Avey purchased the store and ran it until Heath purchased it on Halloween Day 1984.
“I was always tied here, six days a week and if someone called on a Sunday they still got their paint,” she said.
Sarah Doktor
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