Gerald Corgill, President of Dozier Hardware Company, shows off the business’ centennial plaque, presented last week by the Alabama Retail Association.

TUSCALOOSA - Two Clarke County businesses were honored last week by the Alabama Retail Association as being Alabama Centennial Retailers - retailers with 100 or more years in business in Alabama.

The two county businesses include Dozier Hardware, which was founded in 1903, and The Clarke County Democrat in Grove Hill, which was the oldest business recognized, having been founded in 1856.

"For businesses to survive and thrive despite the dramatic changes of the past century is a remarkable achievement," said ARA President Charles McDonald. "It is fitting to celebrate their enduring contributions to their communities in Alabama."

The retailers were honored at the Alabama Retailer of the Year Awards Luncheon held at the University of Alabama. Each received a bronze plaque for the outside of the business and a certificate suitable for display inside.

W.H. Andrews, Sr. ("Mr. Hamp") founded Dozier Hardware Company, today a retail hardware, lumber, building supplies and gift shop with one store in Thomasville in 1903. Dozier Hardware Company was nominated to be an Alabama Centennial Retailer by Dana Dunn of the Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dozier Hardware Company, Inc. was originally Andrews Hardware Company founded in 1903 by Mr. Hamp Andrews. The store was one of the first brick structures built in downtown Thomasville after the 1899 fire. In 1907, the business moved across the street when Andrews merged his store with a partner, L.L. Dozier. In 1939, the interest of L.L. Dozier was purchased by the Andrews family. However, since there were three Andrews Hardware stores already operating in the area, Mr. Hamp decided to retain the Dozier name for business.

Today, the store is operated by Gerald Corgill. The business moved to its present location on Highway 43 in 1965. The father-in-law of Mr. Corgill, Mr. W.H. "Billy" Andrews, returned after college to work as a partner with his father. Between 1966 and 1972, Mr. Billy purchased the business interest of his sisters. Dozier Hardware was incorporated in 1972 under the name Dozier Hardware Company, Inc. Mr. Corgill joined Dozier Hardware in January, 1971 and was made president in February, 1982.

Clarke County Democrat Recognized

The Clarke County Democrat was the oldest business honored. It is also the county’s oldest business and was started by Isaac Grant in January 1856. Grant published the newspaper for 52 years until his death in 1907 at the age of 79. His grandson, 19-year-old George Carleton, succeeded him and would publish the paper for 63 years before his death in 1972. His widow, Laurie Carleton, and son, George Jr., edited the paper until it was sold to R. W. McGwier in 1973. McGwier sold the paper to Jim Cox, the current editor and publisher, in 1984.

The newspaper’s first home was in a former saloon near the courthouse. Round holes in the floor had been used as a drain for rinsing whiskey glasses.

A mint bed nearby was reportedly the source for mint juleps. Grant, ironically was a teetotaler and a strict prohibitionist. George Carleton built a new two-story building on the site in 1912. In 1941, a brick two-story building was built on the same site. In 1992, a new building was erected-the first off of the original 1856 site-on North Jackson Street and a newspaper press installed as the actual printing of the newspaper returned home after an absence of 17 years.