Our History

Elder and three partners quietly opened our first store in 1969 “out in the country” just outside the city limits of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Born in North Georgia and living nearby in East Tennessee for the last 25 years of his life, Elder considered the North Georgia and East Tennessee community and region his family’s and business home. Since then, we’ve expanded our company to include 28 stores throughout the region we call home.

Elder Glenn (left) and his brother Archer (right) joined their father (center) at Glenn Brothers Hardware Co. in Chickamauga, GA.

1963

Glenn Brothers’ becomes one of the earliest stores in the Southeast to affiliate with Ace Hardware Corporation.

1969

Elder Glenn and three partners open the Highway 58 store “out in the country.” Elder serves as President.

1987

Elder Glenn completes an eight-year term on the Ace Hardware Corporation Board of Directors. Elder’s son, Tom, joins the business.

1992

The first Georgia store opens in Rome, location of our founder’s high school alma mater, Darlington High School.

1993

During the “Blizzard of 1993” all Elder’s stores remain open for business, many operating without power and with managers staying overnight for several days.

2000

Elder’s enters the Knoxville market with the purchase of Myers Brothers’ Ace Hardware. Elder’s son, Grif, joins the business.

2008

Tom Glenn retires as Chairman after completing a 12-year term on the Ace Hardware Corporation Board of Directors.

2011

Returning to our founder’s hometown, Elder’s opens a newly constructed store in Chickamauga. Glenn Brothers’ Hardware, owned by Elder’s father, opened there in 1919 and sold in the 80’s.

2014

Elder passes away on April 11. In September, we add the “Elder’s” name to Ace Hardware to better identify ourselves as a locally-run family business.

2019

The Lafayette store relocated to a 40,000 sq. Ft. building. New locations were added in Trenton, Townsend, and Hardin Valley, for a total of 24 stores.