COEUR d'ALENE — When John Montandon let those seeking a recall election set up shop with petitions at his Sherman Hardware, he knew it went against the book on how to run a successful business.

"I got some nasty phone calls after that, and I lost some business because of it," said Montandon, referring to the recall effort five years ago that targeted four Coeur d’Alene city officials. The recall attempt was fueled by the officials' support of the $14.2 million McEuen Park development plan and their lack of support for a public advisory vote for the park's plan. "One lady said she may even have to bring back her items if her husband didn't let her keep them."

The park and recall scenario was arguably the most controversial topic in the city's recent history. The recall effort fell short of the required number of signatures to be placed on the ballot, and construction began on the park a few months later.

The 74-year-old Montandon told The Press on Monday that he plans to close his store sometime between late December and the end of January. He's been a local hardware retailer for more than 50 years under the Coast to Coast and Ace umbrellas before Sherman Hardware. He learned the ropes from his father, Richard.

He said the customers he lost over the recall snafu is just one of several factors that led to his decision to close. Competition from local big-box retailers and online companies, along with the fact that he's simply ready to retire, also led to the decision.

"You can't blame the whole thing on the recall," he said Monday. "I had customers tell me that they'd never come back (after the recall), but they did. I've also got good friends who I never see in here."

Montandon said he raised the eyebrows of even his regular customers when he allowed recall petitioners at his business. Customers warned him that it could hurt — a possibility Montandon already anticipated.

"You don't fight City Hall and become a friend of theirs," he said.

But Montandon said he has no regrets.

"I'd do the same thing over today," he said. "You stick to what you believe in."

He said that while the park is beautiful and a great venue for children, he thinks the spending was excessive. The McEuen project, including parking, ended up costing about $20 million.

Montandon said he also offered the anti-recall folks his parking lot for a place to demonstrate to allow for both sides to be heard, but they declined.

Montandon never used to let candidates put political signs on his business property, but he changed his tune several years ago.

"I don't believe in government waste and letting self-righteous, self-serving people run the place," he said, referring to why he now allows signs.

Montandon admits he's gone against the grain compared to many business models. Most businesses "go with the flow" to make profits in any way possible, but he said he's never done that. He's been content staying small, offering exceptional customer service and operating with a limited advertising budget.

"Nowadays you almost have to be big," he said softly.

Montandon said he's run the store by himself for the past five years, averaging 60 hours a week and open six days. He's ready for a break, but he'll also miss customer camaraderie.

"Probably half of my customers know me by my first name," he said.

Coeur d'Alene's Rafael Medina has been a regular for the past 15 years.

"I'm going to miss his service," Medina said Monday.

Customer Pat Kelly, of Fernan Village, learned of the store's pending closure on Monday and called it "the end of an era."

"It's a landmark; he's a landmark," Kelly said. "I like coming here because I like supporting local business."

Montandon will lease the property to The Cause, a nondenominational church currently on Indiana Avenue. Going-out-of-business sales are expected to start in about a week.

He said his store will be the latest multi-generation downtown business to close shop.

"I've been seeing business decline for the past 10 to 12 years," he said. "The last couple years, the truth is, is that it has lost money."