June of 2005 marked 65 years for Lanier’s Hardware. By this time, the shop had become a local legend, with tour buses dropping by on occasion to see it. Mr. Lanier was always happy to show off his wares to visitors. In 2007, Ardell and Edna Lanier retired after many years of hard work. Around the same time, Ann left the hardware store to take over Standell Properties (Property Management), which operates from the new Lanier Village. Then Lanier’s underwent a complete store remodel. The $475,000 investment included all-new lighting, new store fixtures, and new signage inside and out. The parking lot was re-paved, and the layout was changed.
Overall, the little hardware store has grown to occupy 85,000 square feet, including stock rooms, offices, and showroom floor space. However, the shop has never lost its family feel or commitment to customer service. Sadly, in 2014, Ardell Lanier passed away at the age of 93. His visitation was held in the hardware store, and close to 1000 people come to pay their respects in the location where he serviced them for more than 70 years.
