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Gleason Hardware LLC has provided its customers with many services over its forty-five years in business. It all started back in 1970 when Richard and Gaylon Horn, natives of Sharon, moved back to Weakley County from Chicago so that their three children could go to school in a smaller hometown environment.
The Horn’s took on partner Bert Estes, and in 1970 they began stocking the 103 South Cedar building which had previously housed a small florist. The building was closed up, so they made a few modifications, including the addition of windows. Their stock included Whirlpool appliances, RCA televisions, hardware, bicycles, guns, some Christmas items, and even toys since there were no big toy stores around. They not only sold items, but serviced them as well.
They opened their doors April 1, 1971. Their first customer was Lucy Sanders who actually came in before the store officially opened because she wanted to be the first customer! They also had a drawing for a brand new dishwasher that Charles Anderson won.
After two years, their partner Bert Estes decided to get out of the business, so the Horn’s became the sole proprietors. The present building that houses the store was originally four different buildings that the Horn’s acquired over a period of a few years and converted them to suit their needs.
They bought the two J.D. Dellinger buildings, which had previously housed sweet potatoes, and turned it into their lawn mower shop where lawnmowers and tillers were sold and serviced by Thomas Burke. They also used it for television repair and storage.
The last building they assimilated was the Frank Margrave building which had no roof when they got it. After fixing it up, they used it as the showroom for their appliances and furniture until 2000.
The Margrave building still exists as the fabrication shop for heating and cooling ductwork, while the Dellinger buildings have since been torn down and replaced with a new block building used as a warehouse.
Presently, they are down to selling hardware and heating and cooling systems. Gleason Hardware LLC started installing heating and cooling systems in 1973 and still does to this day. This makes up a large portion of their business. They have installed countless systems in homes, hospitals, churches, banks, office buildings, and restaurants.
Gleason Hardware has also contributed to the community by sponsoring many sports teams over the years: Little League baseball, softball, and even a bowling team.
Mr. Richard Horn passed away on January 12, 2015, and his sons Steve and Tom stepped in to take over the heating and cooling portion of the business.
Mrs. Gaylon still runs the office and hardware parts of the store, except on Saturday when her grandson Jake Horn comes instead of her for the day.
The Horn’s of Gleason Hardware have loved making so many connections over the years. They have had plenty of good customers and kept lots of them – a testament to their hard work and devotion to their customers (Story by Ben Rollins).
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