NASHVILLE — Offering a large selection of home decorating items, along with a complete carpet and tile center, paint department and more, Morrison’s Ace Home Center in Nashville is not your traditional small town hardware store.

Its owners aren’t traditional owners, either, and that’s why Ken Morrison, vice president and son of the store’s founder, was recently recognized as “Young Retailer of the Year” by the National Retail Hardware Association in the over $2 million sales category.

During his 10 year tenure with the store, sales have tripled and he’s added a number of new departments, including a new Rental Center.

“There wasn’t a rental center here in Nashville. The closest was Tifton or Valdosta. We realized there was a need and now we’re offering everything from tractors to ladders and saws,” said Morrison.

The 28,000 square feet of retail space is laid out in a very customer friendly manner with all of the traditional items one expects from a hardware store. Recognizing the need to also attract female shoppers and to compete with larger chain stores, the Morrison’s added a home interior and decorating section, carpet and tile area with samples along with a large paint area.

“We want to hold our customers in Nashville. Now, we’re a destination store,” said Morrison, adding that the store attracts nearly 10,000 customers each month, surprising only because the city’s entire population is just 4,900.

Morrison said much of the community’s growth has been fueled by the growth of Valdosta and a number of their customers live in Nashville and commute into Lowndes County to work — but come back to Nashville to shop.

“We’re growing constantly. We’ve grown every year since we’ve been in business,” said Andy Morrison, who opened the store 31 years ago. Today, he takes a back seat role to his son, who handles the day to day operations of the business.

A proud father, A. Morrison said, “In the 50 years I’ve been in the hardware business, seeing our son receive this award is the greatest honor my wife and I have ever had.”

Much as a tree’s age can be determined by its rings, the store’s expansion over the years can be traced through the various sections of the sales floor. The original floor can be seen along with each of the new additions throughout the store, which has seen several expansions over the years. Today, the Home Center has more than 150,000 square feet of total retail and warehouse space.

K. Morrison said it’s only natural that he ended up in the hardware business as he worked alongside his father while he was growing up, a tradition he is carrying on with his own two young sons.

As for the award, which was presented to him during the NRHA’s national meeting in Washington, “I feel very honored. Any time you’re recognized by your peers, it makes you extremely happy.”



To contact Business Editor Kay Harris, please call 244-3400, ext. 280.