Thigpen Hardware, 16885 FM 2493 Tyler, TX. This was the original hardware store and the original, smaller appearance of this store. Shortly after this, the Kirkpatrick family bought and operated this store for many years with great success, including many additions and upgrades to the building. After they retired around 2013, it was bought by a corporate entity, Higginbotham Brothers, who had very little success with the store. It was later sold once again to a local owner, and operates as Blakeney Hardware.