Wells Hardware

WELLS HARDWARE & SUPPLY

By Neil B. McGahee Managing Editor

The fi rst thing you notice when entering Wells Hardware is the smell, the sweet duskiness of old hardwood fl oors mingled with that of new tools and implements that can’t be found in the big-box stores. Charles A. “Chip” Wells Jr., a fourth generation family member operates the historic store. “Alexander Dan Wells, IV, was born in Crawford County in 1846 and later moved to Montezuma,” he said. “In the late 1890s, in search of a prosperous future, he moved his family to Dooly County and bought farm land in the Drayton community.” Wells also went into business with the Hutchison Lumber and Supply Company headquartered in Cordele on present-day Wall Street. In the 1920’s, he established Wells Hardware Company. It was operated by his sons, Willie and A.S. Wells, Jr. In 1924, Alexander was forced to retire due to ill health and advancing years and he and his son, A.S. Wells, Jr. relocated to Wells Plantation and operated a general store, a sawmill and a cotton gin. “When my dad Charles Wells, Sr. came back from the war, he helped my grandfather run the gin and the sawmill and the farm in Drayton. The hardware store was sort of a continuation of the commissary at the farm where the sharecroppers would come and get their goods for the season and split the proceeds at the end of the year. At some point my grandfather moved back to town and my dad helped him run the store. Then my dad got a small business loan and bought out my grandfather.” Wells said he joined the family business after graduating from the University of Georgia. But he will probably be the last family member to own the store. “I have two daughters and neither one wants to take over the business,” he said. “I told our team that we will keep going as long as they want to.”

Wells grandfather A.J.Wells, Sr. and his great uncle Willie Wells worked in the store in 1906.

Chip Wells is the fourth generation to run the hardware store

Call 229-276-2286 now for an appointment!

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102 E. 14th Ave Cordele • 229.271.0193

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Mike Fraser’s Auto Repair

Then Now

Established 1980

FRESHEN UP Mike and Renee Fraser are the owners of Mike Fraser’s Auto Repair. The family business is now located at 1204 South 7th Street in FOR SPRING! Cordele where it moved in October of 2010. Early in the 1980’s, Mike and Renee Fraser had a service station on 7th Street North. Later they moved into the old Benson Buick place.

Realizing they needed more space, they moved to the 9th Avenue location (shown above). Then in October of 2010 the old Rooney Bowen Chevrolet

BOTOX • PHOTOREJUVENATION building became available and the Fraser’s moved there with more space and LASER HAIR REMOVAL • FILLERS • JEUVEAU better ability to meet their customers’ needs. PCA SKINCARE • CHEMICAL PEELS • HCG DERMAPLANING • MICRONEEDLING LIPOTROPIC INJECTIONS Mike Fraser’s Auto Repair specializes in oil changes, tune-ups, starters, alternators, engine, trasmission, and all minor and major mechanical repairs. They have a 24 hour wrecker service and the capability to tow light, medium and heavy duty vehicles. They also do tires and front end alignments. They have a computer available so that they can analyze problems of the newer cars they ser-vice and repair. Mike Fraser’s Auto Repair is now Call today to learn more about our services and celebrating 40 years in business. 1329 5th Street, EXT. - Cordele let us customize a plan for you!Call 273-6098 229-273-9050 • www.CrispRegional.org