When the Perkerson family celebrated Military Hardware’s 60th year in business, a new family stepped in the spotlight ready to take the reins in January.
Robert and Mary Ann Benton, newcomers to the New Hope area, purchased the local hardware store from Mike and Carol Perkerson.
Robert Benton said he was initially fascinated with the Perkersons’ hard work that built the successful hometown store at 1002 13th St. N.
“Perhaps this aspect of the business impressed us the most as we entertained purchasing Military Hardware,” Benton said. “The business model of serving the hardware needs of its customers with an exceptional and professional experience is why Military Hardware has been so successful for the last 60 years.”
After years of visiting his children in Columbus, Benton said he grew an attachment to the area and began searching for a path to bring him closer to his family.
“We fell in love with the people and really wanted to be nearer to some of our children and grandchildren,” Benton said. “… We started praying about opportunities to relocate to the area. God provided a home in July and then in September the Perkersons approached our son Andrew and us about buying Military Hardware.”
Benton’s son, Andrew, previously worked at Military Hardware in 2015. He left the store in 2018 to start his own business, Benton’s Maintenance and Mechanical Inc. Robert said it was his son’s tenure at the hardware store that helped lead to the family’s purchase.
“Military Hardware has been working so well and as an amazing team of hardware specialists to care for the customers, so not much will change on the operational level,” Robert said. “But we are brainstorming ways to ensure everyone knows about Military Hardware and can find us easily when they search social media and websites.”
Over in Starkville, check out the new beauty store on Highway 12.
MC Beauty Supply opened in late November. Owner Moe Eid first opened MC Beauty Supply in McComb in 2018. Eid has expanded with stores in Gulfport, Grenada and now Starkville. You can find all your beauty supplies at MC, Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Eid added he’ll be hosting some limited-time specials for its grand opening.
“(We wanted to) bring a new way of beauty supply stores to north Mississippi,” Eid said. “We’re running specials on wigs for a month or so, buy one get one free on selected items.”
Downtown, Shannon Skelton has officially opened a new physical therapy office, Restore Manual Therapy and Movement Training, at 101 S. Lafayette St., Suite 12.
Skelton has been practicing physical therapy in Starkville since 1997. Her office is a little different than your typical physical therapy. She offers manual therapy and movement training, and combines healing methods with Pilates rehabilitation to help improve your body’s mobility and joint function.
If you’re in need for body restoration and healing, check out Skelton’s website https://www.restoretherapycenter.com/ for more information and to make an appointment.
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