There once was a time when there were multiple, independently owned auto parts businesses in Summerville, Menlo, Pennville and Trion, but over the past twenty years, that has changed.  Now, word comes that the last independently owned auto parts store in Chattooga County has been bought out by a major chain.

A few months ago, the Summerville City Council cleared the way for the former Hardees Restaurant site to be cleared and prepped for a new O’Reilly Auto Parts store.  Demolition on the Hardee’s building began this week, along with news that Hammonds Auto Parts will be closing their doors.   Ricky Hammonds has owned the business in downtown Summerville since 1988.

Employees at Hammonds Auto Parts will be going to work for O’Reilly starting May 1, 2023.

The Springfield, Missouri-based auto parts giant has been in business since 1957 and operates almost 6,000 stores in 47 states in the United States.  They are the third largest auto parts distributor in the United States, behind Advanced Auto Parts and Auto Zone.