Backstage Hardware & Theatre Supply began in the barn at Eric and Janet Egelson’s residence following an ownership change at Warren Hardware where Eric served as the store’s manager. Warren Hardware offered a line of theatre and stage supplies but the new ownership wasn't interested in that component. Eric, being an astute businessperson, saw an opportunity and seized upon it. He contacted suppliers and customers to determine their interest and found a group of willing participants so in 1988 he launched his foundling company. In short time Eric and Janet outgrew their barn and, in 2000, purchased Eliot’s Hardware store on Drydock Ave. in South Boston in order to obtain a larger and more permanent home for their burgeoning business. They then renamed it Backstage Hardware & Theatre Supply and created a most unusual hardware store that serviced two communities - the conventional hardware customer as well as the special needs of the film and theatre industry. From that came a third base of customers when they found a marine and fishing industry just outside their door so they added products to service that community as well. The home run came when they realized there were many products that crossed traditional boundaries that made the store even more important to its growing customer base.
The current owners, purchased the existing store from Eric and Janet Engelson in March 2010 and are committed to continuing its long-standing tradition of service to their varied clientele.
