They’re not moving far away, but the upcoming departure of the Edgartown Hardware store from Main street will mark the end of an era for downtown Edgartown.

“One of the core businesses, the only core business left, is leaving,” said Edgartown zoning board of appeals chairman Martin V. (Skip) Tomassian Jr., at a public hearing where Edgartown Hardware owners John and Pat Montes were granted permission to move their business into the former Old Colony car dealership building on the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.

“That’s not a reason to deny the application, but that’s my feeling about it,” continued Mr. Tomassian.

At the Wednesday night public hearing, zoning board members voted unanimously to grant the hardware store a special permit to operate out of the former car dealership building, which they agreed would likely have a positive effect on the neighborhood surrounding the disused and overgrown structure. The approval came with several conditions. Operating hours will be limited to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, there can be no outside storage or display, and night-lighting will be limited to low intensity, down-facing lights. The business will also be required to make the parking lot entrance and exits one-way, to minimize traffic interruptions on that portion of West Tisbury Road.

The move will mean an increase in retail floor space of some 6,000 square feet for the hardware store, which the owners said this week has simply outgrown the current location.

Still, the storefront has become a staple to Main street over the better part of the last century. Edgartown Hardware was opened by Lauress Fisher in 1946. After Mr. Fisher’s death in the mid 1990s, the business was purchased by Bill Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Montes took over during its 55th anniversary year, in 2001.

But at the hearing the Montes’s attorney, Sean Murphy, said that the owners had run out of options for running a successful business out of that location. Space and parking limitations were the major concerns.

“In the middle of the summer there’s no parking and plenty of people; in the winter, there’s plenty of parking but no people,” he said.

According to Mr. Murphy, the Montes’s plan is to relocate in January, after they’ve completed the property cleanup and renovations they outlined in their special permit application.

“Their proposal is pretty simple,” said Mr. Murphy on behalf of his clients. Edgartown Hardware will continue to operate in the new building much the same as it has been for nearly 60 years in its current location. The business owners plan to renovate the interior of the building and make cosmetic improvements to the exterior, including painting, landscaping and repaving. Delivery trucks will use West Tisbury Road, and load and unload at a rear entrance to the store.

“In addition to this helping out Edgartown Hardware . . . we think it’s also going to help out the neighbors,” said Mr. Murphy. “At least they know what’s going to be there. They’re concerned about what’s going to happen to that property.”

Mr. Murphy added the hardware store owners also had outlined a long-term lease agreement with the current owner of the building, pending approval by the zoning board. “It’s going to be there for a long time,” he said.

Several neighbors attended the public hearing to voice their support of the move. “The choices that you seem to have are the building that you have now . . . or a business that I feel is going to fit perfectly into the neighborhood,” said Gene Townes, a nearly 40-year resident of Pinehurst Road. “To me, it’s almost like a no-brainer.”

“The hardware store needs the building, and we need the hardware store,” said Dennis Gibson, a resident of Edgartown-West Tisbury Road. “It’s a well-run business. We can be secure that it’s going to be functional.”

“I look at that building over there, and it’s like being in the South Bronx,” said Harry Stotz, who lives across the street from the building. “It’s like a ballistic missile hit the place. I’m all for that hardware store.”

The zoning board was expedient in their approval of the special permit, largely agreeing with the sentiments voiced by neighbors. “I think it’s an ideal location. We do need to do something with that area and I think this is the perfect business,” said board member John Magnuson.

“I think this is a great idea. I think we should do it,” said Mr. Tomassian. “I think the site is appropriate. I don’t think it’s going to adversely affect the neighborhood.”

Mr. Tomassian also acknowledged a petition signed by neighbors in support of Edgartown Hardware’s proposal. More than 300 signatures were included. “I don’t really recall any time in recent years when we’ve had a petition with over 300 people signing it,” said Mr. Tomassian.

But the decision was bittersweet, as neighbors and board members acknowledged that the move will mean a significant loss to Main street.

“Overall, speaking from Chappaquiddick, we’re going to miss you. It’s going to be a long walk up to that hardware store, but I approve,” said board member and Chappy resident Richard Knight.

“It has been a valued business in the town of Edgartown for many years,” said Fred B. (Ted) Morgan. “I’m sorry to see it leave Main street, but we can understand why.”