HISTORY

Established in 1896 and incorporated in 1912, the Miller Bros Hardware Co. was originally known as the Pogue-Miller Hardware Co. Americus Pogue, Jonas Gaar (of the Richmond, Gaar Mansion Families), and George W Miller were all owners or partners in the new venture. The building was added onto as business grew. The heavy timber and lumber for one addition was cut down from the current Oak Park subdivision on US 27 N and was brought down Chester Boulevard on Mule Wagons. In 1910 it was reported that the hardware store was the 3rd largest in the United States and that it did over $1,000,000 in business. (this was at a time that the average worker made less then 20 cents per day!)

Railroad box cars would pull up on the rail spur behind the store - the large black metal doors (that can be seen at the back of the middle section next to the old freight elevator), would slide open and the large boards that are still attached to the wall - would be put down to unload the box cars of hardware. The inventory would then be uncrated and put on shelves (some of which still remain and can be seen displaying antiques of that era) by climbing the wooden ladders (that are still hanging) that ran on the metal tracts along the ceiling. Original inventory tags and writing can still be seen throughout the building!

When you look up at the ceiling (in the front showroom) you can still see the hinged doors in the floor that were opened up to light the building all the way from the skylights (that are still there) on the 3rd floor. Large metal "walk through" doors are still in place where they have stood for over 100 years.

Miller Bros Co. not only sold hardware, but guns, ammo, cow hides, mule harness, and eventually - pocket watches, fishing tackle, turkey lifters, urns, tongs, tid-bit trays, ricers, roasters, and rubbish burners. (We have the original catalogs that you are welcome to browse through.)

In 1973 the company was liquidated and the building was stripped of any thing of value and it was boarded shut. The old coal furnaces were shut down - the radiators froze and became inoperable. The widows were covered and enclosed with fiberglass and the building was vacant. Charlie Mosey of "Mosey Manufacturing" bought the building as well as many others in this historic district. He was instrumental in keeping them from being demolished by finding an adaptive use for them. For the next 32 years it served as a warehouse for wire and cable for Belden Industries as well as stage sets for Civic theatre and a myriad of others.

In 2004, Roger & Theresa Richert purchased the building and restoration began in the winter months. With the help from lots of family, friends, employees and wonderful artists, the Miller-Brothers Building was brought back to life. (You can see photo albums and pictures of the renovation transformation when you visit the store.) We hope YOU enjoy it as much as we enjoyed helping save another piece of Historic Richmond.