FEATURE | HISTORY
Bralys Ace Hardware at 90
Serving Palestine almost forever
By Jason Jones
For most people in this town Bralys has always been there . Ninety years is no small accomplishment . While it may not be ‘ forever ,’ it ’ s certainly a testament to a beautiful community relationship .
The foundation for the store began in the mid-1920s with a sawmill business operated by W . J . Franklin in Neches . Franklin Lumber Company was established in 1932 at 1502 N . Jackson in Palestine , where it remained for 81 years .
Neual Braly , married to Jessie Franklin Braly , began working for his father-in-law in 1935 . Neual and his brother-in-law , James Franklin , operated the business as a partnership until 1954 , when Neual became sole-owner and changed the name to Braly Builders Supply .
In 1970 , Neual and Jessie ’ s daughter , Margie Braly , joined and operated the business for 35 years . Today , Bralys continues as a fourth-generation family business operated by Stephen Braly , the great-grandson of W . J . Franklin , and his wife , Vicki .
Stephen and Vicki bought and renovated the historical Rusk Elementary School building and in 2013 relocated the business to 420 W . Palestine Ave / Hwy 79 . “ It ’ s a great building ,” Vicki said . “ It has good bones .” In the years since the building renovations and move , Bralys has been awarded Ace Hardware ’ s coolest store on the planet and the “ Texas Treasure ” award .
While Bralys is an Ace Hardware location , it is 100 % family owned . Both Stephen and Vicki work at the store and are sometimes joined by their two sons , one in high school and one in college .
44 | PALESTINE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2022