On a late September Saturday, former and current employees stepped inside Vickery Hardware, turning the store into a reunion hall of memories and milestones. They lingered in the aisles swapping stories, and the air buzzed with laughter and gratitude as the team gathered to celebrate 75 years of a beloved community landmark.
For those who have lived in Smyrna for any length of time, Vickery Hardware is more than just a store. It’s a constant presence, a friendly stop for advice, a gathering place where neighbors feel known. In a city that has transformed dramatically over the past seven decades, Vickery has stood steady—a reminder that some traditions are worth preserving.
From Howard to Vickery
The story begins in the mid-20th century, when the shop was known as Howard Hardware on Atlanta Road. In 1950, Thomas Vickery purchased the business, moved it to the Dickson Shopping Center, and renamed it Vickery Hardware. The new name stuck. Sixteen years later, in 1966, Hugh Hutchings bought the store. He decided not to change a thing. “It had a good name,” Susan explains simply. “So he kept the name.”
From that point forward, the store became part of the Hutchings family’s daily life. Susan remembers growing up in its aisles, helping customers and learning the rhythm of a small business that was as much about people as it was about hardware. Though she once dreamed of becoming a teacher, fate had other plans.
When her father passed away in 2002, Susan took the reins. It was a daunting responsibility, but also one that felt right. “The hardware store was home to me,” she says. “While I think everyone thinks about what might have been in their life, I believe I chose the path I was best suited for.”
More Than a Store
What makes Vickery Hardware special isn’t just its longevity—it’s the way the business has woven itself into the life of Smyrna.
The list of community commitments is long and heartfelt. Vickery has sponsored Little League teams, ensuring kids had uniforms and equipment to take the field. The store has backed high school sports programs, rooting for the home team season after season. They’ve supported the Smyrna Garden Club, helping keep the city in bloom. And they even helped establish a Little Free Library, placing books into the hands of neighbors who might not have them otherwise.
To Susan, these efforts are not acts of charity but expressions of gratitude. “We have always tried to give back,” she says. “This community has supported us for 75 years—it’s only right that we support it in return.”
Their commitment extends beyond sponsorships. Vickery never closed during COVID, serving as a steady resource when many families were stuck at home, desperate to tackle projects or make small repairs. They’ve opened their doors on snow days when larger stores shut down, ensuring customers could still find what they needed. “We’ve honestly just tried to treat our customers with respect and help them with their projects,” Susan says.
The Human Side of Hardware
Perhaps the best measure of Vickery’s impact lies in the stories Susan loves to share. Like the older gentleman who comes in twice a year to have the staff set the clock in his car after daylight savings time. Or the woman who once needed to replace a toilet flapper—Vickery’s team walked her through the process step by step, and when she successfully fixed it, she proudly returned with photos to prove it.
Then there are the countless friendships Susan has witnessed form between her employees and the customers they serve. These relationships, built on trust and familiarity, are what transform a store into a community anchor.
Even the “shop cats” add to the charm. With their quiet presence among the shelves, they embody the warmth and character that make Vickery feel more like home than retail.
Weathering Change
Running a small, independent hardware store isn’t without challenges. Competition from big-box retailers looms large, and economic shifts—such as recent tariffs—have affected costs. Susan admits she worries about the future. “I just pray we will be able to continue to thrive and grow,” she says.
Yet her perspective remains hopeful. She has watched Smyrna evolve and believes the best is still ahead. She loves the diversity the community now celebrates and the resilience it has shown in times of change.
“I am so honored to be a part of Smyrna,” Susan says. “I love how I’ve seen this community change and grow and adapt. This is a great place to live and have a business.”
A Legacy of Gratitude
As Vickery enters its 76th year, Susan is clear about what she’s most thankful for: the loyal support of her customers, the strength of the Smyrna community, and the opportunity to carry forward her family’s legacy.
The 75th anniversary party was a chance for former and current employees to pause, reflect, and give thanks—for the past, for the present, and for the people who have made it all possible. It was also a reminder that the story of Vickery Hardware is still being written, one customer interaction, one sponsored team, one act of kindness at a time.
In this month of gratitude, Vickery Hardware shines as a reminder that small businesses are the heartbeat of a community. They teach us that success isn’t measured only in sales, but in relationships nurtured, traditions carried forward, and neighbors cared for.
For 75 years, Vickery Hardware has shown Smyrna what it looks like to build not just homes, but a hometown. And for that, we are thankful.
Vickery Hardware
881 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
(770) 435-4567
Facebook: Vickery Hardware, Inc.
Instagram: @vickeryhardware
More Than Hardware
Vickery Hardware is woven into the fabric of Smyrna. Beyond tools and supplies, they’ve sponsored kids’ teams, cheered on high schools, supported garden tours, and fueled community projects. Through every season—pandemics, snow days, or celebrations—Vickery has been there, proving that true success is measured in relationships, not receipts.
“We’ve always tried to give back. This community has supported us for 75 years—it’s only right that we support it in return.”