Stacy Holbrook
Contributing Writer

(Joanne Williams/FAN: Mari Lin Pettit shows off a commemorative ornament that a customer and friend made for the 140th anniversary celebration of her family’s store, Pettit Hardware.)

 

This year, Pettit’s Hardware is celebrating 140 years of business. Pettit’s Hardware opened its doors in 1886, shortly after Eaton Rapids was established in 1881.

Pettit’s Hardware is a downtown attraction itself in addition to being one of the most well-stocked, customer-service oriented shops around. From its white tin ceilings to its creaking, well-trod wooden floors to its 1916 National cash register (the size of a microwave) the store has a reputation of service that makes community feel like family. Fourth generation Mari Lin Pettit and three siblings, Annette Pettit, Michael Pettit and Susan Arrington, took over the business after father George Pettit’s death in October 2003.

She is quick to share her story of visits to the store when her mother, Elizabeth, would take her with her to pick-up her father, George, after work.  As years passed, Pettit made trips to the hardware store to see Grandpa George, whom she has many good memories of.  Photos and portraits of family line her main floor office.

On many of her early visits, Pettit remembered riding tricycles through the aisles with her sister, Annette.  She and her friends would ride their bikes to the store and adjust the chains, or tinker on their bikes in the back of the store. One special memory Pettit shared was of Grandpa.  

He would take her next door to the drug store that had a soda fountain station, and they would enjoy lemon phosphate soda.  

Pettit continues with the traditions passed down through the generations.  In the middle of winter, Pettit said, if a customer called in search of a sump-pump, they would open doors and help a neighbor.  If a customer needed an item that was hard to find, Pettit’s hardware was the place to go.  If they didn’t have it, they would do what they could to get it. 

She remembers the store being open late, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning to serve area farmers.

Pettit’s Hardware will share its 140th Celebration with Urban Air this May 7-10. On Friday, May 8, there will be a special open house, with live music provided by a guitarist and a wash-board player. 

There will also be 140 cupcakes to enjoy, supplied by Simply Stacy’s Deli.  The festivities, including a tour and history of the store from Mari Lin herself, begin at 2 p.m.  

There will be special window displays to enjoy, showcasing the hardware store and gift shop. 

 The community is invited to stop in and share memories with Pettit and the staff, including Bruce, the advice man, at 141 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids.