Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2018

80 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestOfMP.com feature D oing business in Mount Pleasant today is entirely different than it was generations ago. I was privileged to spend some time gaining perspective from just a few local businesses whose families have met and conquered the challenges of growth and change. Royall Ace Hardware , a Mount Pleasant icon, opened its doors in 1968 where Coleman, Ben Sawyer and Chuck Dawley boulevards meet. Entering John Royall’s new office, currently a work in progress, you imagine what the early days of the business were like. You will find an antique seed counter, from which seeds of many varieties were displayed and sold, that will become his desk. The office door is the front door of the original building, and the pot belly stove, which heated it, sits in the corner. John and Julia Royall purchased Williard Hardware while Julia was also working at MUSC to “help pay the bills.” In 1976, they moved to their current location, 883 Ben Sawyer Blvd., next to the original building. While John is still very active in the business and Julia still assists with the extensive Lawn and Garden Department, their youngest of three children, William, is now the store manager. “As the youngest child of two working parents, I spent a lot of time here by necessity while very young. I actually started earning a paycheck around middle school and grew up spending Saturdays here,” he said. By Stephanie Shieder Family Trees with Community Roots Mount Pleasant’s Generational Businesses Royall Ace Hardware.