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Blackwell Hardware Company



Based upon family lore, the origins of the hardware store date back to the early 1940's when the Blackwell brothers returned from serving in WWII. Military records state that LeRoy Blackwell served as a Merchant Marine from October 16, 1943 - November 26, 1946. LeRoy Blackwell, John Edward "JB" Blackwell and Carmen Blackwell had saved most of their earnings while serving. When they returned home to their family homestead in Bethune, SC all 3 boys moved to the North Charleston area, they began building homes and other development projects along with their father Elias. We have a utility bill from 1945 showing that Elias was paying for electricity while living on Allison Avenue in 1945. The area around Remount road, Park Circle, and North Charleston had been used predominately by the military up to this point as it was only a few miles from the Charleston Naval Base and Charleston Naval Shipyard on the banks of the Cooper River. While they were building homes, they recognized a need for more storage for their building supplies and the old Army Ammunitions building became available at the corner of Carolyn and Yeaman's Hall road. The Blackwell family purchased the building to use as a supply warehouse for their development company. Back then, the are was largely undeveloped and stores were few and far between. One local resident remembers having to drive downtown to go to Sears to get nails, clothing and shoes and to the Piggly Wiggly on Dorchester road to get groceries. No big box stores or other retail suppliers were in Hanahan. Hanahan wasn't even incorporated as a town at this point, we were still a part of North Charleston. It has been said that Blackwell Hardware was in fact the first commercial business in operation in Hanahan and was the "heart and soul" of the origins of the town itself. The commercial district began here at the corner of Carolyn and Yeaman's Hall Road, across the street was a doctor's office, gas station, and dentist's office. A barber shop soon followed which was originally established in the barracks, then later moved to the more modern shopping center off of Remount.

As time went on, other contractors realizing the convenience of having quick access to building supplies, began asking if they could borrow some of the nails, hammers, etc. from the Blackwell warehouse to finish their own jobs. The Blackwells would let them write down what they needed and pay them back when they could. Finally, after several years of sharing building supplies and having to keep track of who owed them, they realized that there was clearly a need for the local contractors and builders to have access to a local supply company. Some time around 1947, Elias Blackwell, the patriarch of the family, decided to officially open a retail hardware store and building supply company at their warehouse location. Blackwell Hardware Company was one of many business ventures for the Blackwell Brothers. LeRoy Blackwell and his wife Frances Keyser Blackwell continued as the primary owners of the business until his death in 2012, while JB and Carmen had their own ventures. The oldest date on file that we can locate to cite includes a Blackwell Building Supply Co, LLC. entity profile with the date of 7/27/1960 in the State of SC. But, the store was clearly in operation long before this date. We have files of old customer charge tickets dating back to March 26, 1955 with the Header

"Route 10 Box 490 Dial 4-1641 Blackwell Building Supply A COMPLETE LINE OF BUILDING MATERIALS Yeaman's Hall Road at Port Park No. Charleston, South Carolina"

Another charge ticket dated

Based upon a resume that LeRoy Blackwell wrote, he was involved in a partnership for construction, land development and building supply trade from 1948-1960. In 1960, he gained full ownership of the Building Supply store which is still in operation in the greater Charleston area. The resume also includes various other business dealings including Antler Realty, Greenway Landscaping Company, Tiger Investments, Greenhurst Utility, Jameson Terrace, a motel on Montegue. He also had ownership in a bait shop near his Lake house in Bonneau Beach, SC.

Countless members of the Blackwell family have worked with the company since it's opening including LeRoy's wife Frances, their children, grand children, and now great grandchildren. Most of the grandkids fondly remember working at the store during their summers growing up and helping with the annual inventory. Many generations of store cats and dogs have also graced the walls and greeted customers. The hardware store is still owned and operated by a fourth generation Blackwell descendant.

The Blackwells and Keysers attended church at Aldersgate United Methodist on Remount Road. Evidence of their support is still visible through engraved Bricks lining the path, and on a plaque of one of the stained glass windows in the chapel.

Community first is the mantra, as the goal of the business has always been to give back to the local community and to serve the customers with excellent customer service. Some of the local organizations who have partnered with Blackwell Hardware Company over the years include Keep Hanahan Beautiful, Keep N. Charleston Beautiful, Hanahan Recreation Department, Hanahan Athletic Booster Club, Toys for Tots and the local Hanahan and North Charleston Schools. Some local events that Blackwell Hardware Company participates in annually include the Hanahan Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch as well as the Hanahan Exchange Club Christmas Parade.

Blackwell Hardware has gone by several names including Blackwell Building Supply, Blackwell True Value Hardware, and is now back with Blackwell Hardware Company. The building is still currently in operation at it's original location at 1279 Yeaman's Hall.

https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Profile/984392df-9f8a-45de-bc45-770484cd940a