Long-Lewis Hardware Co. building
The Long-Lewis Hardware Co. building is a three-story, brick commercial building located on the southwest corner of 5th Avenue North and 9th Street, formerly part of Smith's Park in Smithfield.
It was constructed in 1929 for the Long-Lewis Hardware Co. and originally housed both warehouse and retail operations for the business, which sold home furnishings, housewares, china, appliances, sporting goods, gifts, and toys in addition to building supplies, heavy hardware, paint, tools and auto parts. The main building was separated from additional warehouses by a rail spur connecting the property to the Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast Railroad.
The grand opening for the Long-Lewis Hardware Co. building was celebrated on June 12–13, 1929. Visitors were offered tours of the plant, refreshments, flowers for ladies, and an evening performance by an orchestra.
Cornerstone Revitalization Group LLC purchased the Long Lewis property in 2017 for $1.7 million and redeveloped it as "Hardware Park", a multi-tenant office and light industrial building.
References
- "Many People Witness Opening of the New Modern Building of Long-Lewis Hardware Co." (July 1929) Jemison Magazine. Vol. 1, No. 15, p. 2
- Godwin, Brent (March 20, 2019) "Hardware Park trying to build community of Bham innovators." Birmingham Business Journal