FARMINGTON – Aubuchon Hardware, now located in the Mt. Blue Shopping Center, needs more space.

What has been a three-year project to acquire that space has an end in sight.

Within the next 10 days or so, construction is expected to begin on the service area of the former Gray Ford building at 361 Wilton Road, said Aubuchon manager Brenda Fronk Tuesday.

Now owned by Jim Meader, who runs a firewood business on the property, a lease has been signed and the hardware company plans to make the move in eight to 10 weeks, she said.

“The store has been growing in different aspects, such as hardware for hobby farmers or small farmers,” said Fronk.

The new space will provide 7,200 square feet for the store and 2,400 feet for storage. Aubuchon has about 3,000 square feet now, she added.

New items including welding supplies, housewares, small appliances and fencing supplies will be added and the store will also offer a line of Purina products, she said.

A propane filling station and garden center area is also planned as well as additional personnel for the store.

“I’m excited, especially since we’ll be re-using a building that has been vacant off and on,” Fronk said.

The store is one of 154 New England stores. The Aubuchon chain was founded by an immigrant to Massachusetts in 1908, and celebrates it’s 100th anniversary this year.