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In [[1906]], Avery organised the [[Avery Hardware & Supply Company]], of which he was president, to manage the business. Shortly thereafter a Mr. [[W. A. Ray]] entered the firm. At some point he bought out Avery's share of the business, and the firm became known as '''W. A. Ray Hardware Company''', with the retail store in the Masonic Lodge styled '''Ray's Corner Hardware'''.
In [[1921]], bank examiner [[R. G. Martin]] and business partner [[A. J. Butt]] purchased the business and renamed it '''Pensacola Hardware Company'''. Shortly thereafter, the business moved into a building on [[Garden Street]] just behind the Masonic Lodge. In August [[1925]], the business again moved to 21-27 East Garden Street. The building had been built by [[J. E. Taylor]] about [[1905]]; it was demolished in [[1949]] to make way for an extension of [[Jefferson Street]]. A. J. Butt retired from the firm in [[1946]]. In [[1948]], Pensacola Hardware moved to its current location at 20 East [[Gregory Street]]. R. G. Martin continued to operate the business until his death in [[1976]], at which time ownership passed to his son-in law, [[James M. Coe]]. Coe retired in [[2000]] and the business has since been operated by his sons [[James M. Coe, Jr.]] and [[Martin M. Coe]].<ref>[http://www.pensacolahardware.com/index.cfm?id=20671&fuseaction=browse&pageid=335 "History of Pensacola Hardware"]</ref> ==Notes==*A [[1905]] city directory has the following entry for ''A. M. Avery''::''A. M. AVERY – Corner Palafox & Garden Streets. Dealer in hardware, iron, nails, cooking and heating stoves, grates, paint, etc. Established for 50 years - has been doing business under the present title for 20 years and was first established by A. L. AVERY and was then changed to Avery & Woolfolk. Mr. Avery is a native of this State.'' ==References==<references/>
[[Category:Downtown retailers]]
