ROME — Hummel’s Office Plus has announced plans to close its retail store at 322 E. Chestnut St. in Rome effective Dec. 31.

Officials said the closure is for its Rome store only. The company’s Herkimer retail location will continue to operate normally as will all other facets of the business out of its corporate headquarters and distribution center in Mohawk.

“The continued expansion of our B2B business, led by dramatic growth through our E- commerce business,” led to the decision, according to Justin Hummel, CEO of Hummel’s Office Plus. “Our customer base prefers to receive product with free next day delivery with no minimum orders via one of our 20 Hummel’s delivery vehicles. Over 70% of our Hummel’s business is generated through our B2B E-commerce model.”

“Our business like most others has seen customers choose to buy online rather than visit a brick and mortar location for products,” Hummel said. In comparison, just 20 years ago, Hummel’s did only 20% through E-commerce, he added.

“As the business world evolves and changes, we re-evaluate how to best serve our customers,” Hummel said. “The dramatic shift has brought us to this decision. These decisions are not taken lightly and decisions like these are especially challenging. With that said, we know it is in the best interest of our customers, employees and organization.”

Hummel added that ongoing challenges in the labor market have limited the store’s ability to fully staff the store and achieve full operational capacity seven days a week. The challenges forced a reduction in operating days and hours which made the store no longer viable.

“Hummel’s would like to thank the Greater Rome Community for their many years of support and loyalty to the store and also thank their landlord, Eric Ringdahl, for his flexibility and support over the many years they leased the building from him, especially during the COVID years,” the announcement said. “Hummel’s would (also) like to thank its Rome Retail Store employees for their hard work and commitment over the last several years to their customers and business.”

Founded in 1934 by Harrison J. Hummel as a typewriter repair and supply business, Hummel’s Office Plus has grown into a full supplier of office products from copy paper to furniture. Hummel’s Office Plus, headquartered in an 80,000-square-foot distribution center and office complex in Mohawk, operates retail stores in Herkimer and Cortland and has a sales office in Syracuse and Albany.