115 N Main Street

115 North Main Street – Weeks Hardware

As we stroll down Main Street, you’ll notice the two-story brick, stucco, and wood facade of Weeks Hardware, a true gem built in 1913. This isn’t just any hardware store—it’s the oldest active business in Brooksville, a title it proudly held as of 2003, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Imagine the hustle and bustle of early 20th-century Brooksville, a time when this town was growing as a hub for agriculture and trade. Weeks Hardware was right at the center of it all, supplying tools, materials, and know-how to builders, farmers, and families shaping the future of this community.

The store was founded by Josiah Weeks, who came to Brooksville from Georgia in 1890. He used this building, with a traditional angled storefront constructed in 1913 with bricks from the Brooksville Brick Factory, as his office for the Weeks Mining and Manufacturing Corporation. The company had an interest in turpentine, mining, and naval stores. Not only did he run this hardware business, but he was also the first president of the First National Bank of Brooksville—a real mover and shaker! Interestingly, the store wasn’t always called Weeks Hardware. Until the end of World War II, it went by the name Miro Hardware, a sweet nod to Josiah’s family members, Olive and Ava Weeks, whose nicknames were Rosie and Mammie Weeks. Miro was a combination of Mammie and Rosie. That personal touch really shows how family and community were woven into the fabric of this business. Olive and Ava ran the store, when their husbands, John and James, took over management after a few years and worked together until 1936 when John bought out James.

The upstairs was used over the years by Dr. Hedick, Dr. Creekmore, and attorney Col. Lockhart. Dr. Hedick’s dentist chair, Dr. Creekmore’s desk and medical books are displayed at the Hernando Heritage Museum.

John changed the name over the door to Weeks Hardware and ran the store until his death in 1947. Then his son, Joe Weeks, ran the store, and his wife, Otella, opened the Olive Leaf boutique upstairs. Joe was named Great Brooksvillian of 2009 for his outstanding contributions to the community. Otella operated the hardware store on her own after Joe passed in 2014. 

Step inside (or imagine stepping inside!), and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The store is a living museum of early 20th-century commerce, with features that have been lovingly preserved. Look up, and you’ll see a high, elaborately patterned tin ceiling—a hallmark of the era’s architecture that adds a touch of elegance to this practical space. There’s also a hand-powered freight elevator, a rare sight today, used to haul heavy goods between floors. And don’t miss the tall, darkly stained plywood case for bolts and screws, built by A.R. Brown in 1901—yep, it’s even older than the building itself! These details give us a glimpse into how business was done over a century ago, long before big-box stores and online shopping.

Weeks Hardware wasn’t just a place to buy nails or hammers—it was a cornerstone of the community. John Weeks’ grandson, Joseph C. Weeks, carried on the family legacy, managing the store after returning from naval service and graduating from the University of Florida. Joe, who worked here since he was a kid, was honored as the “2009 Great Brooksvillian” by the Brooksville City Council, a testament to his deep roots and contributions to the town. This store supported generations of locals, providing jobs and resources while fostering a sense of connection in a growing Brooksville.

The cultural significance of Weeks Hardware goes beyond its daily operations. It’s part of the historic fabric of downtown Brooksville, sitting just steps away from other landmarks like the First National Bank building from 1910 and the Dixie Theater from 1926. Its location at 115 North Main Street places it right in the heart of a historic commercial district, where brick buildings and tree-lined streets tell the story of a town that’s held onto its heritage. In 2014, the store even took part in the Brooksville Community Redevelopment Agency’s “Downtown Beautiful” project, using grants to spruce up its exterior while keeping its historic charm intact—a perfect example of balancing preservation with progress.

As you stand here on Main Street, take a moment to appreciate how Weeks Hardware has stood the test of time, serving as a bridge between Brooksville’s past and present. It’s more than a store—it’s a symbol of resilience, family, and community spirit. So, let’s keep walking and uncover more of Brooksville’s treasures!

Citations

“Weeks Hardware Does Its Part to Spruce Up Brooksville.” Tampa Bay Times, June 12, 2014. https://www.tampabay.com/news/growth/weeks-hardware-does-its-part-to-spruce-up-brooksville/2183043/. 

 “Tour of Historic Brooksville, Florida.” Florida History. https://floridahistory.org/brooksville.htm. 

1. 2025. https://floridahistory.org/brooksville.htm.

2. “The Best 10 Hardware Stores near Brooksville, FL 34601.” Yelp, last updated June 2023. https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=hardware&find_loc=Brooksville%2C%2BFL%2B34601.

115 North Main Street – Weeks Hardware

As we stroll down Main Street, you’ll notice the two-story brick, stucco, and wood facade of Weeks Hardware, a true gem built in 1913. This isn’t just any hardware store—it’s the oldest active business in Brooksville, a title it proudly held as of 2003, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Imagine the hustle and bustle of early 20th-century Brooksville, a time when this town was growing as a hub for agriculture and trade. Weeks Hardware was right at the center of it all, supplying tools, materials, and know-how to builders, farmers, and families shaping the future of this community.

The store was founded by Josiah Weeks, who came to Brooksville from Georgia in 1890. He used this building, with a traditional angled storefront constructed in 1913 with bricks from the Brooksville Brick Factory, as his office for the Weeks Mining and Manufacturing Corporation. The company had an interest in turpentine, mining, and naval stores. Not only did he run this hardware business, but he was also the first president of the First National Bank of Brooksville—a real mover and shaker! Interestingly, the store wasn’t always called Weeks Hardware. Until the end of World War II, it went by the name Miro Hardware, a sweet nod to Josiah’s family members, Olive and Ava Weeks, whose nicknames were Rosie and Mammie Weeks. Miro was a combination of Mammie and Rosie. That personal touch really shows how family and community were woven into the fabric of this business. Olive and Ava ran the store, when their husbands, John and James, took over management after a few years and worked together until 1936 when John bought out James.

The upstairs was used over the years by Dr. Hedick, Dr. Creekmore, and attorney Col. Lockhart. Dr. Hedick’s dentist chair, Dr. Creekmore’s desk and medical books are displayed at the Hernando Heritage Museum.

John changed the name over the door to Weeks Hardware and ran the store until his death in 1947. Then his son, Joe Weeks, ran the store, and his wife, Otella, opened the Olive Leaf boutique upstairs. Joe was named Great Brooksvillian of 2009 for his outstanding contributions to the community. Otella operated the hardware store on her own after Joe passed in 2014. 

Step inside (or imagine stepping inside!), and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The store is a living museum of early 20th-century commerce, with features that have been lovingly preserved. Look up, and you’ll see a high, elaborately patterned tin ceiling—a hallmark of the era’s architecture that adds a touch of elegance to this practical space. There’s also a hand-powered freight elevator, a rare sight today, used to haul heavy goods between floors. And don’t miss the tall, darkly stained plywood case for bolts and screws, built by A.R. Brown in 1901—yep, it’s even older than the building itself! These details give us a glimpse into how business was done over a century ago, long before big-box stores and online shopping.

Weeks Hardware wasn’t just a place to buy nails or hammers—it was a cornerstone of the community. John Weeks’ grandson, Joseph C. Weeks, carried on the family legacy, managing the store after returning from naval service and graduating from the University of Florida. Joe, who worked here since he was a kid, was honored as the “2009 Great Brooksvillian” by the Brooksville City Council, a testament to his deep roots and contributions to the town. This store supported generations of locals, providing jobs and resources while fostering a sense of connection in a growing Brooksville.

The cultural significance of Weeks Hardware goes beyond its daily operations. It’s part of the historic fabric of downtown Brooksville, sitting just steps away from other landmarks like the First National Bank building from 1910 and the Dixie Theater from 1926. Its location at 115 North Main Street places it right in the heart of a historic commercial district, where brick buildings and tree-lined streets tell the story of a town that’s held onto its heritage. In 2014, the store even took part in the Brooksville Community Redevelopment Agency’s “Downtown Beautiful” project, using grants to spruce up its exterior while keeping its historic charm intact—a perfect example of balancing preservation with progress.

As you stand here on Main Street, take a moment to appreciate how Weeks Hardware has stood the test of time, serving as a bridge between Brooksville’s past and present. It’s more than a store—it’s a symbol of resilience, family, and community spirit. So, let’s keep walking and uncover more of Brooksville’s treasures!

Citations

“Weeks Hardware Does Its Part to Spruce Up Brooksville.” Tampa Bay Times, June 12, 2014. https://www.tampabay.com/news/growth/weeks-hardware-does-its-part-to-spruce-up-brooksville/2183043/. 

 “Tour of Historic Brooksville, Florida.” Florida History. https://floridahistory.org/brooksville.htm. 

1. 2025. https://floridahistory.org/brooksville.htm.

2. “The Best 10 Hardware Stores near Brooksville, FL 34601.” Yelp, last updated June 2023. https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=hardware&find_loc=Brooksville%2C%2BFL%2B34601.

115 North Main Street – Weeks Hardware

As we stroll down Main Street, you’ll notice the two-story brick, stucco, and wood facade of Weeks Hardware, a true gem built in 1913. This isn’t just any hardware store—it’s the oldest active business in Brooksville, a title it proudly held as of 2003, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Imagine the hustle and bustle of early 20th-century Brooksville, a time when this town was growing as a hub for agriculture and trade. Weeks Hardware was right at the center of it all, supplying tools, materials, and know-how to builders, farmers, and families shaping the future of this community.

The store was founded by Josiah Weeks, who came to Brooksville from Georgia in 1890. He used this building, with a traditional angled storefront constructed in 1913 with bricks from the Brooksville Brick Factory, as his office for the Weeks Mining and Manufacturing Corporation. The company had an interest in turpentine, mining, and naval stores. Not only did he run this hardware business, but he was also the first president of the First National Bank of Brooksville—a real mover and shaker! Interestingly, the store wasn’t always called Weeks Hardware. Until the end of World War II, it went by the name Miro Hardware, a sweet nod to Josiah’s family members, Olive and Ava Weeks, whose nicknames were Rosie and Mammie Weeks. Miro was a combination of Mammie and Rosie. That personal touch really shows how family and community were woven into the fabric of this business. Olive and Ava ran the store, when their husbands, John and James, took over management after a few years and worked together until 1936 when John bought out James.

The upstairs was used over the years by Dr. Hedick, Dr. Creekmore, and attorney Col. Lockhart. Dr. Hedick’s dentist chair, Dr. Creekmore’s desk and medical books are displayed at the Hernando Heritage Museum.

John changed the name over the door to Weeks Hardware and ran the store until his death in 1947. Then his son, Joe Weeks, ran the store, and his wife, Otella, opened the Olive Leaf boutique upstairs. Joe was named Great Brooksvillian of 2009 for his outstanding contributions to the community. Otella operated the hardware store on her own after Joe passed in 2014. 

Step inside (or imagine stepping inside!), and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The store is a living museum of early 20th-century commerce, with features that have been lovingly preserved. Look up, and you’ll see a high, elaborately patterned tin ceiling—a hallmark of the era’s architecture that adds a touch of elegance to this practical space. There’s also a hand-powered freight elevator, a rare sight today, used to haul heavy goods between floors. And don’t miss the tall, darkly stained plywood case for bolts and screws, built by A.R. Brown in 1901—yep, it’s even older than the building itself! These details give us a glimpse into how business was done over a century ago, long before big-box stores and online shopping.

Weeks Hardware wasn’t just a place to buy nails or hammers—it was a cornerstone of the community. John Weeks’ grandson, Joseph C. Weeks, carried on the family legacy, managing the store after returning from naval service and graduating from the University of Florida. Joe, who worked here since he was a kid, was honored as the “2009 Great Brooksvillian” by the Brooksville City Council, a testament to his deep roots and contributions to the town. This store supported generations of locals, providing jobs and resources while fostering a sense of connection in a growing Brooksville.

The cultural significance of Weeks Hardware goes beyond its daily operations. It’s part of the historic fabric of downtown Brooksville, sitting just steps away from other landmarks like the First National Bank building from 1910 and the Dixie Theater from 1926. Its location at 115 North Main Street places it right in the heart of a historic commercial district, where brick buildings and tree-lined streets tell the story of a town that’s held onto its heritage. In 2014, the store even took part in the Brooksville Community Redevelopment Agency’s “Downtown Beautiful” project, using grants to spruce up its exterior while keeping its historic charm intact—a perfect example of balancing preservation with progress.

As you stand here on Main Street, take a moment to appreciate how Weeks Hardware has stood the test of time, serving as a bridge between Brooksville’s past and present. It’s more than a store—it’s a symbol of resilience, family, and community spirit. So, let’s keep walking and uncover more of Brooksville’s treasures!

Citations

“Weeks Hardware Does Its Part to Spruce Up Brooksville.” Tampa Bay Times, June 12, 2014. https://www.tampabay.com/news/growth/weeks-hardware-does-its-part-to-spruce-up-brooksville/2183043/. 

 “Tour of Historic Brooksville, Florida.” Florida History. https://floridahistory.org/brooksville.htm. 

1. 2025. https://floridahistory.org/brooksville.htm.

2. “The Best 10 Hardware Stores near Brooksville, FL 34601.” Yelp, last updated June 2023. https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=hardware&find_loc=Brooksville%2C%2BFL%2B34601.

Item description