Nostalgia is all local fans of Minton's will have left starting in October. The Cupertino store, which opened on S. De Anza Boulevard in 1965, will be closing for good Sept. 25, due to loss of sales to nearby Home Depot. The store was the only branch for the Mountain View institution, Minton's Lumber and Supply, which has been in business since 1897 and had had only three owners throughout this period.

"From the beginning, we had a very successful customer base [in Cupertino]," said Minton's president, Debby Schulz, who is also the daughter of owners Herb and Mary Jean Eaton. "The customers were wonderful. But when Home Depot came in, it didn't matter; the first year, sales dropped 40 percent."

Minton's had hung in against Home Depot since the big-box store opened on S. De Anza Boulevard in 2000 but decided to concede this year.

"We weren't generating enough overhead," said Schulz. "We had an offer on our property and after a lot of agonizing, decided to sell." Schulz added her loyal customers were shocked and upset when they heard the news. For them, it means the loss of such services as quality lumber, precision cutting, short lines and a personable and knowledgeable staff. Next month they will have a choice of making the trip to Minton's Mountain View store, which fought off a proposed Home Depot in that city in 2002, or most likely shopping at Home Depot. There are four Home Depots in an area stretching from Campbell to East Palo Alto.

When asked about the prospect of going to Home Depot, Eric Beibler of Campbell said simply, "Don't ask," adding he will probably drive to the Mountain View store in the future. He said he shops at the Minton's in Cupertino for its discount prices and selection. "It's a good place to get all the stuff I need," he said. "It's got all the old-style stuff ... hinges you can't find anywhere else." Warwick agreed. He said he will miss the "good wood" at Minton's and being able to conveniently "pick up the little stuff."