Retiring owners of Old Windsor hardware store bid 'really loyal customers' farewell

A family-run hardware store in Old Windsor will close its doors this spring after 23 years in the community.

Retiring owner Amarjit Dhendsa opened Leo’s Hardware on St Luke’s Road in 2002, having run a video store in Egham and a similar hardware store in Maidenhead.

This was the first Windsor venture for the 68-year-old Maidenhead resident, who owned another Leo’s in Wootton Way between 1999 and 2013.

“A traditional ironmongery store – where you could go in and get yourself out of trouble – plumbing, electrics, household items, tools, paint…anything,” he told the Express about the shop's purpose.

“You don't have to go to a bigger store like BBQ or Homebase. We did pet food in there, so it had everything.

“People who couldn't drive or didn't want to go out to Slough or Staines, they came to our store.

“That was [why] we closed the Maidenhead shop because Homebase opened up in Maidenhead, and we could see our business going downhill.”

But the reason for closing his Windsor shop is simply 'age', said Amarjit, who has been working in the background with his wife, Rani, while shop manager Alex Matos was behind the till for around a decade.

“I haven't had the heart to go in there to face customers because we've had customers well upset. People were crying because it was closing down. It's been like that,” said Amarjit.

“It's not a big community, Old Windsor. It’s only a small parish; people tend to know each other.

“We've had some loyal customers. Really loyal customers."

Amarjit said the shop served as a community space where people would visit for a chat, even if they weren’t shopping for anything specific.

“They’re very friendly customers. When you're there, they'll pop in, say 'Hello, how are you doing?'" he added.

He said the ‘faces’ and ‘meeting people’ are what he will miss most about the store when it closes for good.

“It’s definitely harder because you feel you're letting people down because it's a small local community on that part.

“But everything comes to an end at one time or another. So sad in that sense but pleased as well because retirement comes.”

The 'notion' to close the store began in November 2024, but an official closing date has yet to be confirmed.

The premises will soon return to being a convenience store, similar to when Amarjit acquired the building in the early 2000s.

He said his Maidenhead neighbour, Roland Green, had first inspired him to open the store in Old Windsor.

"He was like a father to me," said Amarjit.

"I went to Australia for a couple of years, came back in 1998, and was looking to do something. He said this store’s come up, why don’t you go for it? So I purchased that; it seemed like a good business."

The shop has remained unchanged since its early days, apart from changes during the COVID-19 years, said Amarjit.

“There are items that can sit there for years, and suddenly someone comes in, they need it, they say ‘Wow, been looking for that.’

"When somebody's trying to sort some paints out, you tell him how to do it, give them ideas, make sure they’re doing it the right way if they’re doing it themselves.

“I think the friendly touch, the personal touch helps.

"That's the reason I think people kept coming back."