Business
Sullivan Hardware: A Piece of Central History
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This week Sullivan Hardware celebrated a "Grand Re-Opening" under the ownership of Lance Butler. However, the story of one of Central's oldest establishments goes much farther back than Lance's 20 years with Sullivan's. It is fitting that the story of Sullivan Hardware be reprinted in the words of Ms. Lee Rome, long-time and current Central resident and a pillar of the Central Community. Ms. Lee is the daughter of Harry and Margaret Sullivan, the store's founders.
Old Sullivan Hardware Store Was Landmark
By Lee Rome
The end of an era…an old Central landmark, the old Sullivan Hardware store was demolished last week.
The store business was begun by John Harry and Margaret Sullivan in May, 1958. The Hardware store occupied one portion of the concrete block dairy and hog barn built by Mr. Sullivan just after World War II.
Central was a very small community then. Sullivan Road was a narrow graveled farm to Market Road. Traffic on Sullivan Road was very light. This was before the supermarkets and the shopping centers. In order to purchase simple hardware items, it was necessary to travel at least eight miles. Central residents did not seem to mind the unorthodox structure, the leaking roof when it rained, or traveling the long gravel lane necessary to reach the store.
As time went on, many items were added to the store’s inventory. The store name was changed to Sullivan Hardware and Building Supplies. A lumber shed was added. The Central residents could then purchase lumber, roofing, cement, sheetrock, paneling, door units, and corrugated tin, in addition to basic hardware, feed, and garden supplies.
In about the year 1965, dry goods were added to include shoes, fabrics, sewing supplies, and clothing. A larger feed room with a raised floor to make it easier to unload feed trucks and to load merchandise was added to the south side of the building. Garden fertilizer was trucked in in large quantities. Since the area was predominantly rural, most area residents had a garden, a field crop, chickens, at least one milk cow, pigs, horses, and all of the usual farm animals.
The next major addition came in the year 1975. Sullivan’s became a Western Auto franchise dealer. The lumber sheds were emptied and taken in as a part of the main store. Two sheds were added to the north side of the building to make a work area for mounting tires and making minor automobile repairs.
Lawn mowers became big business for Sullivan’s. At one time, they became one of the largest Snapper mower dealers in the area.
In 1982, the fire marshal felt the building was no longer safe. With the decision to move to the newer Sullivan Center, the store was divided into two businesses, the hardware store and the TV & appliance center. Outdoor equipment was liquidated.
The old building was leased twice to tenants operating lawnmower sales and service. Both businesses closed and the building has remained empty for the past two years.
Many people who grew up in Central can remember shopping in the old store, whether it was for fabric, shoes, hardware, or bubble gum.
Sullivan’s Ace Hardware is still operating in the newer location on Sullivan Road, but under new ownership. Sullivan’s TV and Appliances is now Sullivan’s Furniture, TV, & Appliances, still operated by Sullivan’s, still ever growing and expanding with the times.
The original Sullivan Hardware, established 1958.
Original ribbon cutting at the "new" and original location. Pictured (L-R) Mr. Harry Sullivan, Irvin Rome and wife Lee Rome, and Doug Welborn.
Last Saturday's ribbon cutting at Sullivan Hardware
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