(MURFREESBORO)  Imagine what Murfreesboro was like in 1921--that's 100 years ago. W. Tilman Haynes, Sr. and C. N. Haynes teamed with Jim Reed and opened Haynes Hardware Company. 

There were stories of how C.N.'s desk was piled high with papers, but whenever someone wanted something--he knew exactly where it was and had the knack of instantly pulling it out. It was that attitude that shaped the way C. N. and Tilman ran the hardware store. They kept a massive inventory in the basement and attic, because deliveries were not as they are now. They wanted customers to always be able to get what they wanted at Haynes Hardware Company. 

Early Years

Tillman Haynes, Sr. and his father C. N. Haynes, a longtime cotton farmer, breeder of jersey cattle, and magistrate of Rutherford County, acquired the building on the corner of Maple St and West Main signed a three year $500 lease and partnered with Mr. Reed to open Reed-Haynes Hardware.  Over the next few years, the Haynes family bought out Byrn Hardware that was just down the street and Mr. Reed sold his part of the business to Tom Brown.  Before the end of the 1920’s, Brown sold his part of the business to the Haynes family and the final name change was adopted: Haynes Hardware.

Cotton Days

Mr. Haynes also ran a cotton gin that was accidently purchased at auction in the 20’s. That business closed decades later and the site was donated to the city of Murfreesboro where Cannonsburg now stands. The museum building is the only structure remaining from the original cotton gin.

100th Celebration This Saturday

Family member and manager Rich Schmidt noted that the public would receive the benefits of the century old business this Saturday (9/18/2021) by being able to get a 20 per cent discount off anything they can pack into a True Value bucket (available in the store). He noted that several door prizes will also be given away during the 7:00AM-6:00PM time frame this Saturday 

Cheryl Knight Schmidt told WGNS that Reed decided to move to Nashville and get into the auto business.

Depression Years and WW2 

During the depression, the business survived, never unable to make the payroll although losing quite a bit of money when one of the banks the store did business with went broke. 

As WW2 concluded, Tillman Haynes Jr, a son, returned from the war and went to work at the store. In 1951, Martha Anne Haynes, the daughter of the family, married Donald Knight and the couple joined the family business. 

Mr. Knight loved the friendships he made over the decades, and was active in the business well into the . He amazed people with his active lifestyle into his 90s, and passed away in 2015 at age 95. He loved Murfreesboro and was instrumental in starting the Main Street Program. In fact, Knight was one of the first downtown real estate owners to renovate his properties. 

Mr. Tillman Haynes, Sr. retired in the 1970s and Tillman Haynes Jr retired in the early 1980s leaving the ownership and operation of the business with Donald and Martha Anne Knight.  In 1976, the Knight’s daughter, Cheryl, married Richard Schmidt who joined the family business and is the current General Manager of the store. Donald Knight, Sr. retired in 2001. Donald Knight, Jr. is also a partner in the family business, although he now lives in Washington DC.

The Haynes family has owned and operated the store over the past century. In fact, historians surmise that it is the old family run retail business in Murfreesboro that is operated by the same family.

Memories

Cheryl remembers going to the store with her dad, Donald Knight, and being fascinated by whittlers coming in and leaning against the big cases that lined the walls.

She said, "My dad would sit me on the counter beside a giant old cash register. This was next to the whittlers were doing their thing."

Riche's wife, Cheryl, remembers the upstairs for more exciting things.

She said, "The upstairs windows was the best place to watch the many parades. Not only did everyone come out for the Christmas Parade, there were parades for Easter, downtown merchant promotions, Central Tiger parades, health department parades--there was a parade for every occasion and the windows above Haynes Hardware was the best place to watch them."

1989 Move To Memorial

Cheryl Knight Schmidt noted, "We were sad to leave our historic roots on the Murfreesboro square, but following renovations in 1989 the move across town was made to better serve our customers and continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community."

Those same cabinets enjoyed by the whittlers were moved to the Memorial Boulevard location and now give ambiance to that facility. You can look at the tops of those counters and see the knife marks where the whittlers stabbed the wood. In fact, Cheryl's husband, Rich Schmidt, recalled when he joined the staff in the 1970s--there was a stone available for the whittlers to sharpen their knives. 

Rich remembered about the move from the Murfreesboro square to the present location at 1807 Memorial Boulevard.

He said, "We sold horse tack in the early years, and while packing merchandise from the basement, we found several brand new harnesses. In addition a complete and brand new wood stove was crated in the basement. Several brand new hay hooks were found upstairs. They were used by farmers to get the hay up into the lofts of the barn."

Then and Now

Four generations have provided the local feel of the small family business while evolving to the changing business climate.  Many things have changed in 100 years of retail hardware, but some things never will.  We do our best to offer a wide variety of hardware, lawn and garden, and DIY needs while offering personal service you won’t find at a big box store at competitive pricing. 

When the store opened, the merchandise included plows, horse collars, and churns along with the expected hammers, nails, and saws.  Items have evolved over the years and now include products that weren’t available in the 1920s.  Power tools, PVC pipe and electronic keys now sit alongside the wide selections of hardware and tools that are the staples of the store. Haynes Hardware is a member of the True Value network providing the opportunity for a wide selection of products available with a quick turn around and online ordering. 

Knowledgeable staff, friendly faces and a wide selection of home repair items, DIY project materials, and lawn and garden supplies are available for our customers as they enter the store. 

Cheryl commented, "Staying in business hasn’t always been easy, but we do our best to adapt and change. We strongly believe we have been able to survive due in large part to our loyal customers and we appreciate the support and patronage of every individual that comes through our door. We are committed to offering personal customer service, quality products, and competitive prices along with the home town feel in order to continue to survive in our second century in business. Our customers often say ‘you always have what I need’ and we try to be sure we do with over 100,000 items in our inventory."

Ever Changing, But Still The Same

One thing hasn’t changed about our business- the family behind the store believes in great customer service and strive for the business to be what the community needs- and we work hard to make that happen. As a part of the True Value Hardware network, we can provide competitive pricing while maintaining that local business atmosphere with great relationships.