Hacketts struggles to recruit workers

OGDENSBURG — Despite a rapidly rising unemployment rate in St. Lawrence County, Hacketts is having trouble getting people interested in working at its Ogdensburg store.

According to Patrick Hackett Hardware Co. President Herbert L. Becker, the company has been advertising for about 12 sales, cashier and clerk positions for nearly a week, but only two positions have been filled.

"It seems so strange. I thought we'd put up a few notices and we'd be overrun, but we're not getting anybody," he said. "Especially now before Christmas I thought people would be looking for anything, but it's been so difficult."

The company has been advertising mainly through the Internet and with some signs around the stores, Mr. Becker said. Cheryl I. Allen, director of human resources, said the company plans to begin aggressively advertising in newspapers and online if no one fills out applications over the weekend.

About 26 people work in the Ogdensburg store. According to Mr. Becker, he has been looking to increase staff in anticipation of a busy Christmas season and because of growing sales.

"The store is getting so busy now that we just need help to keep up with what's happening," he said. "We just got product in, really high-end fashion stuff, and my staff says it's flying off the shelves."

A few employees have also quit or retired recently, adding to the number of job openings. Two employees quit to start jobs elsewhere in the past week, Mrs. Allen said.

Earlier this year, Wells Fargo Bank called in a $5 million line of credit from Seaway Valley Capital Corp., which is Hacketts' parent company. Since then Hacketts stores in Watertown, Pulaski, Potsdam and Canton have closed.

While stores in Massena, Gouverneur, Sackets Harbor and Tupper Lake remain open, the company faces millions in lawsuits filed by suppliers, former employee and others.

Mr. Becker said he did not know if the legal and financial problems with the business had scared away potential employees.

"I don't know if that's part of this whole process. I really don't know," he said.