Stevens Hardware demolition continues as the family remembers its legacy

Written by Mike Burris

The final page in one chapter of Americana is being written with the demolition of a local landmark. Peppers Construction has resumed taking down the Stevens Hardware building located at the west end of the south side of the Main Street Business District. Age and structural instability of the building has mandated it be razed. As the bricks come down one-by-one, so do memories of Adrian’s link to a dying breed of business: the locally owned, family run hardware store.
Part of what adds to a small town’s charm is the neighborly business owners who provide a service to its citizens that would not otherwise be available without driving outside of Adrian. As the building disappears, Stevens Hardware will only exist in the pages of history and the fond memories of its customers. Future generations may never have the chance to experience what Adrian had at its disposal for 45 years.
“Max was a wonderful, wonderful human being and he will be greatly missed.” said Stevens. “Not only will Max be missed but so will the business he so lovingly built up to become a cherished place by the people of Adrian.”

Pictured: The original building was constructed in 1900. In 2008, the building has been razed.