NORWICH – The business landscape of downtown Norwich has taken on a slightly new look as local consumers say goodbye to a longstanding company and hello to a new face.

After 25 years of serving the community from the heart of the city, Hayes Office Products, located at 6 E. Main St., has been acquired by Hummel’s Office Plus, one the largest stationary and office supplies retailors in Central New York. The change was made official early Tuesday morning as the legal footwork of the acquisition wrapped up and a temporary Hummel’s sign was hanged in the storefront window.

According to a media release from Hummel’s Office Plus, the most noticeable change will be in the name alone. Hummel’s will continue to operate from its current East Main Street location - renting commercial space from Chris Hayes, owner of Hayes Office Products - and keep all Hayes employees on staff, bringing the total number of Hummel’s employees to nearly 100 people throughout the Central New York Region. Additionally, the company will continue servicing both retail customers and commercial delivery accounts, said a Hummel’s spokesperson.

“The merging of our two local, family owned companies is a great story for Central New York,” said Hummel’s CEO Justin Hummel. “We are proud of the history of both companies and remain focused on bringing the very best solution to our customers while they procure their business products.”

An offering of stationary and office supplies has been part of the downtown Norwich retail market ever since the Sumner family opened Sumner’s Business Supplies and Equipment in the 1950s. The business was later purchased by Bob and Jean Hayes in 1988, and remained a family-owned operation when Chris and Missy Hayes purchased it in 1998.