Our History

Founded in 1909, The Central Hardware Company started as a hardware and harness company, wholesaler, and retailer in Ironton, Ohio. Over the years, Central Hardware developed a great pride in serving the local community; whether it was sourcing hardware for factories and plants or building relationships with community members in need of its goods and services. Although the times have changed, this commitment to the customer has remained our guiding principle.

In 1926, Central Hardware began recovering from a fire which destroyed its original store by moving into its current home through the purchase of Hudson, Pillar and Sheridan Hardware.

In 1950, Roy Ratliff and his father, also Roy Ratliff, purchased The Central Hardware Company and continued to operate and grow the business for sixty-six years. During this time, Central hardware came to specialize in hardware and furniture. This led to the company being restructured and renamed as Central Hardware & Furniture.

2016 brought some big changed to Central hardware; Rich and Lori Donohue purchased Central Hardware & Furniture from Roy Ratliff. Following this, Rich and his son Chris began to running the day to day business operations, which they have continued to this day.

Today Central Hardware & Furniture specializes in Hardware, Furniture, Appliances, Home Improvement, Outdoor Power Equipment, and more. With a growing business, Central Hardware & Furniture opened "Central Furniture" a 24,000 square foot furniture showroom to compliment the 10,000 square foot Central Hardware store.