Harlingen feeling loss of beloved Johnny's True Value store

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Members of the Harlingen community are devastated by the loss of the Johnny's True Value Hardware store.

Customers said they turned to Johnny's True Value for its consistency and convenience.

“That’s one of the only family-owned hardware stores," said Shawn Neley, a customer. "My dad used to take me in there all the time as a kid, and I would go as an adult. You know, they had the best place to buy guns and ammunition, or hunting and sporting gear, or anything like that. If you needed something, you would go to Johnny’s True Value.”

South Texas Arson investigators, the Cameron County Fire Marshal, and the Harlingen Police Department were all on scene Tuesday morning. Brownsville fire crews also assisted in putting out the fire.

Harlingen Fire Chief Rafael Balderas says mutual aid is very important in times like these.

"When we have a big fire like this and we need help, we'll call in somebody. Because we don't just have this fire going, we still have to respond to the rest city and whatever calls come in. So it's helpful that they've come in and helped us out, and we're very appreciative of that."

There will be an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Harlingen Fire officials say the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be in town for a brief meeting, and the investigation is expected to begin on Wednesday morning.