Seventy-five years ago, Isaac Hall laid the first brick in a foundation that would stand the test of time — not in mortar and stone, but in trust and integrity. On brisk mornings, when the sun broke over the square here in Franklin County, you’d find Isaac greeting his neighbors with a firm handshake and a warm smile, ready to serve as a businessman but, more importantly, as someone who deeply loved his community. Those who worked alongside him, whose names still linger in the company’s history, shared a code of ethics that defined the business’ identity.
Though the location of their business has changed over the decades — new walls, new streets, new faces — the core of their mission remains the same. Loyalty to the community, good customer service, and firm principles are the values that continue to guide the business’s leadership, linking past to present, from one generation to the next.
Step into Hall Furniture, and you’re instantly embraced by what feels like a family reunion. There’s something about the air in this place that carries a feeling of history, trust, and belonging that has been passed down through generations.
Isaac Hall, the great-great-grandfather of one of the current owners, Carlie Gaby, purchased what was once the E.H. Lehman Furniture Store in 1948. At the time, Isaac was manager of one of Lehman’s eight stores in Winfield, Alabama, and owned a modest 10% of the business.
When the opportunity arose to exchange that share for full ownership of the Winchester store, he seized it, packed up his family, and moved to Tennessee. Isaac didn’t know that the Winchester location had just undergone a going-out-of-business sale, leaving the store empty.
Isaac walked into the store for the first time, expecting a busy operation, only to find bare shelves and silence. It was a moment that would have sent most people packing. But Isaac wasn’t like most people. Girded with little more than a dream and extensive knowledge of the furniture industry, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. With the support of his wife, Mary Gladys, and their five children, he transformed that empty shell of a store into a vital part of the community.
Hall Furniture officially opened its doors on Jan. 2, 1949, in a modest building just off Winchester’s west side square. Over the decades, the business evolved and relocated four times, each signifying a rebirth.
By the late 1970s, three of Isaac and Mary Gladys’ five children — Don, Jerry, and Patsy — took the reins and built upon the foundation their parents had laid. Over time, Don departed, leaving Jerry, Nancy, and Patsy to keep things running. Each brought their unique touch, like Jerry’s knack for connecting with customers and Patsy’s attention to detail.
The next generation soon found their way into the business. Jerry’s daughter, Tammy Stevens, joined in 1987, followed by his son, Mitch Hall, about 15 years later. Both initially pursued other careers — with advanced degrees and dreams outside of retail — but eventually felt the pull to return to the family business.
In 2018, the youngest generation joined the team when Jerry’s granddaughter, Carlie, brought fresh energy and ideas to the table. Today, Mitch and Carlie carry the torch, continuing the tradition of hands-on leadership.
“It was something that we were always around growing up and something that we always valued and were rooted in,” Carlie explained.
One of Hall Furniture’s long-standing core values is building trust and maintaining customer loyalty and satisfaction. Isaac Hall believed in the golden rule: treating people how he wanted to be treated, and this same philosophy has been passed down to every generation.
“My grandfather used to let people make a down payment and take their word with a handshake,” Carlie shared. “Although that’s changed a lot over the years, we try to work with every individual that comes in the store.”
Great customer service doesn’t end when the sale is made. The Halls pride themselves on “service after the sale,” a promise that has earned them the community’s trust for over seven decades.
Hall Furniture’s offerings have expanded over the years to meet the needs of new customers. They carry traditional pieces and contemporary designs that cater to various tastes and budgets. But no matter how styles evolve, one thing remains the same: the Hall family’s love for their community.
The family has consistently supported local schools, nonprofits, and ministries. They’ve donated furniture to organizations like Isaiah 117 House and contributed to numerous fundraisers and events.
Another way the family shares their heart for the community is through Small Business Saturday. On this special day, they open their space to other small businesses — food trucks, coffee vendors, and entrepreneurs without storefronts — the perfect marketplace to make connections and enjoy local business offerings.
Customers flock to enjoy the festive atmosphere year after year. Last year, in honor of the holidays and the family’s 75th celebration, Santa joined the fun, strolling through the crowd, greeting families, and snapping photos with wide-eyed little ones. The day is a celebration of togetherness, revealing the magic that happens when a community comes together to support one another.
Yet, with success comes challenges. Balancing work and personal life in a family business is not always easy, but open communication and perseverance have been the foundation of the Hall family’s story.
What is the secret to their longevity? Carlie doesn’t hesitate: “We never gave up. We just put one foot in front of the other.”
Reflecting on it all, the Hall family feels immensely blessed to serve the community through their family business. One of their proudest moments was being named Small Business of the Year by the local chamber of commerce.
Along with promoting their own business, they encourage customers to explore Franklin County — whether enjoying a meal on the square or supporting another local shop. Franklin County is like family to them, and that sense of closeness makes everything they do even more meaningful.
In Hall Furniture, you’ll find a little more than beautiful pieces for your home. You’ll find a family heritage built with hard work, trust, and a love for the people of Franklin County — a heritage that will endure for generations to come.
