Happy Birthday McCrary's!
by Maryann Miller

A week of Birthday Parties is being held at the R.H. McCrary Hardware Store in Winnsboro. On Monday, December 2nd Richard Foster of KWNS, 104.7 FM did a live radio broadcast from noon until 2:00 pm, encouraging listeners to stop by for 25 cent ice cream cones from the soda fountain. He interviewed owners, Robert and Shirley Watters to get some of the history of the store.



Celebrating its 90th year of business, the R.H. McCrary Company holds the distinction of being the oldest business in town to be in the original location, with much of the original interior intact, and owned by the same family. The business was established around 1910 in the Coke Community by Robert Hardy McCrary and moved to Winnsboro in 1912. Ownership passed to his nephew, Robert Edwards, who was an uncle to Robert Watters, who owns the store now with his wife, Shirley.



Early on, business was primarily hardware and dry goods, but since the Watter's have taken over, they have added the old-fashioned soda fountain and lunch counter where they serve breakfast and lunch items. Not to mention the ice-cream specialties, including the real deal when it comes to a soda.




With an odd juxtaposition of historic and new, McCrary's is also the home of this publication. Old creaking wood on the main floor contrasts with the hi-tech computer systems in the loft. Add the appeal of the delicacies from the soda fountain and the wide selection of craft items and gifts, and it's no surprise that this is a favorite stop for visitors.

Oh, by the way, they do sell hardware!