ALLENSTOWN, N.H. — On Turnpike Street in Allenstown, AuBuchon Hardware remains open for business, serving customers with its usual mix of winter goods, hardware essentials, and friendly service. But just beneath the surface, the future of the store is uncertain. A looming redevelopment plan by McDonald’s and the store’s at-will lease status have left employees and customers in a state of cautious anticipation.
Store Manager Keith Maffei, who has overseen the Allenstown location since July 2021, confirmed that AuBuchon’s lease has been extended through March 2026. However, the lease is a “tenant-at-will” agreement, meaning the property owner could require the store to vacate at any time with just 30 days’ notice.
“We will be here until March 2026,” Maffei said in an interview, “but as a tenant-at-will.”
Corporate leadership is considering relocating the store to the former Rite Aid building in town, though no agreement has been finalized. Maffei’s last communication with corporate, about three weeks ago, offered only this assurance: “good things are coming.”
In the meantime, AuBuchon is preparing for an eventual rebranding to AuBuchon Ace as part of its new ACE Hardware partnership, with a planned conversion once a permanent location is secured.
For employees like Becky Polsin, who has been with the store for four years and runs its greenhouse operation as well as store conversions for corporate, the transition is personal. Polsin has worked on store conversions elsewhere and expects to play a central role if Allenstown relocates. When asked if she would have a role in that if it does happen she said “It is guaranteed.”
“Hopefully the transition will be a full transition, and I have a place to go,” she said. “I think they, whenever we talk to them about it, they’re always like ‘business as usual, things are looking good.’ Now it’s changed to ‘things are looking really good.’” Polsin seems pretty optimistic that the Rite-Aid location will be the new home for the New Aubuchon Ace.
Polsin mentioned that she does get many customers who ask what is going on. She said that she gets around 30 inquiries a day from customers concerned and worried that this local hardware store might close down for good. Polsin mentioned that many customers “lice down the street” and that is the small town charm that attracts her to the store here in Allenstown. POlsin also highlighted the store’s deep community ties: from SPCA adoption events hosted on-site, to the store cat Auggie and Julius who are adopted by the company and taken care of by the company. She mentions that Julius and Auggie are sometimes the main attraction! She says there was a family who came up just to visit the cats. Many customers travel from neighboring towns like Chichester, Northwood, and Epsom, underlining AuBuchon’s importance beyond Allenstown.
While AuBuchon waits for a confirmed new location hopefully in town, McDonald’s plans for the property are steadily advancing.
According to Allenstown Planning Board minutes, the proposal calls for razing the current building and replacing it with a 3,694-square-foot McDonald’s featuring two drive-thru lanes and seating for 34 people.
On April 23, 2025, the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) approved a variance allowing four additional drive-thru reader-board signs (two at 20 sq. ft. and two at 10 sq. ft.), beyond the ordinance limit of one freestanding sign at 32 sq. ft.
On August 6, 2025, the Planning Board approved the Conditional Use Permit for the drive-thru and granted Major Site Plan approval with conditions.
These approvals set the stage for demolition and redevelopment, with McDonald’s targeting spring 2026 for opening.
The future of AuBuchon Hardware hangs in balance between community loyalty and corporate strategy. For now, the store is stocked for winter, operating as normal, and calling for community support to boost sales and demonstrate demand for a continued presence in town.
Yet the approvals are clear: McDonald’s has the town’s green light. Unless corporate secures the Rite Aid or another location, AuBuchon’s long-term home in Allenstown may disappear by 2026.
As Maffei put it: “Business as usual until we hear otherwise. We are here to serve you.”
