Smith & Hardwick
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Smith & Hardwick was a book store which operated from 1934 to 2004.
It was originally located in the Clark Building at 406 20th Street North. In the 1950s it was purchased by sisters Virginia and Anna Praytor, who both taught in Birmingham City Schools. They hosted the annual "Books and Authors Luncheon" during the Birmingham Festival of Arts.
Gene Crutcher worked at Smith & Hardwick before opening his own store.
After Anna Praytor died in 1989, long-time store manager Allen Shaffer took over the business. He relocated the store to 3900 Clairmont Avenue in Forest Park in 1990.
After Shaffer suffered a stroke in 2004 the business was closed.