Chandler Bros. Ace three generations strong
A
fter World War II, two of the four Chandler brothers serving returned to
Milledgeville in 1945. Herbert Chandler Sr. returned to run his Family’s
Cotton Gin. Phillip Chandler opened a gas station.
In 1949 after securing a loan from John Garner at Exchange Bank, Herbert
and Phillip Chandler partnered to open a hardware store in the old A.J. Carr
building on North Wayne Street. Chandler Brothers Hardware was established.
Herbert, his wife Anne, with Phillip and his wife Ruth, ran the family busi-
ness. The competition was tough in those days with two other competing hard-
ware stores in town. In the beginning they used empty boxes to fill the shelves
so the store wasn’t bare.
In the early 1960s, Phillip Chandler sold his interest to Herbert and ven-
tured into the construction business and later politics, becoming a Georgia
State Representative. Herbert and his wife Anne continued running Chandler
Brothers Hardware raising their two children, Herbert Jr. and Anne.
In 1965 Chandler Brothers Hardware became affiliated with Ace Hardware
Corporation. Stock was received bi-weekly from Chicago, Ill. The store was ful-
ly stocked with hardware, tools, farm implements, guns, hunting and fishing
equipment, household items and toys. Christmastime at Chandler Brothers
was busy with layaways. Many local teens and college students got their first
part-time jobs at Chandler Brothers during this time of year. Herbert and Anne
helped Santa to make many a child happy on Christmas morning.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Herbert Chandler Jr. returned to Milled-
geville in 1969 and partnered with his family. Around 1970 they purchased the
building with the addition of the Purina building next door and remodeled.
In 1976, a second location was built and opened at 1895 N. Columbia St.
Herbert Jr. and his sister Anne Kane ran the location while Herbert Sr. and his
wife Anne ran the original downtown store.
In 1985 Herbert and Anne Chandler retired. Although for many years after,
Herbert Sr. continued working with his daughter Anne running the downtown
store.
Business in Baldwin County began to move north toward Lake Sinclair. In
1999, Herbert Jr. purchased and built the third location at 3011 N. Columbia
St.
In 67 years, Chandler Brothers Hardware Corporation has grown to three
locations, raised Herbert Chandler Jr., his five children, Anne Chandler Kane,
and her son. The second generation, Herbert Jr. and Anne, have retired and
turned it over to their children, the third generation.
Anne’s son Len Aubry, manages the original store downtown. Herbert’s
daughter, Kiersten Rocker, manages Ace Hardware at 1895 N. Columbia St.,
and his son, Grayson Chandler, manages Ace Hardware Lake Sinclair at 3011
N. Columbia St.
200th l 35