History

 

Tyler Brothers has been serving Wagener since 1904.  We

have memorabilia of our long history throughout our store and invite you to come visit and enjoy reading the articles and looking at the photos.

Back in the early days, Anderson Tyler (farthest left in photo) was the oldest of the Tyler Brothers and considered to be the best all around business man.  Anderson was also the only married brother at the time, pictured next to his wife, Lillie Lybrand.  All the other Tyler Brothers were single and roomed with Anderson and Lillie.

Behind Lillie is Dr. Ethridge, father of Birdie Mae Brodie.  The tall guy in the bow tie in the photo's center is John W. Tyler.  John quit school after the third grade because after he learned to read, write and do math, he figured he "knew everything in the world that was worth knowing."  John then spent many years working on farms until he opened a store in Perry at the age of 16.

The man in the striped tie is Lonnie Tyler, rumored to be the best salesman.  Sadly, Lonnie died young in a car wreck.  Next to Lonnie is Corrie Tyler, wearing the necklace watch.  Corrie married Milledge Shull and Corrie also died at a young age.

 

 

 

Some of our first Advertisements, early 20th century

 

Seven and One-Half Cents for Your Cotton

This ad, from 1914, promotes a "Get Money Sale" and emphasizes the need for Tyler Brothers to raise $10,000 in 15 days.

A need that we haven't ever faced again, thankfully.

The Best Cheap Shoes

Our favorite snippet from this ad:

"The best cheap shoes on earth for Ladies, Boys, and children to sell for $1.00 to $2.50... they are made in the Penitentiary."

Grand Introductory Sale

This ad, from 1916, promotes the opening of a new store in Springfield, SC.

"Springfield will support a First-Class Store and we have decided to cast our lot with you."

Financial Statement - 1921

On this financial statement you can see the fancy logo that we have co-opted for our website and email headers.  You can also see that we had four stores open throughout the area.

But most importantly, if you look at the "bottom line," you will see that we had a net loss of $8550.52 and a net worth of NEGATIVE $3958.98.

 

Tyler Brothers First Contest

The first 100 people over age 16 in the store on this particular day would be entered into a drawing to win a free pair of shoes.  Good for a pair of shoes up to $3.50.

 

Tyler Brothers, over 100 years later, is still engaging customers with rewarding contests.  We often have email give-a-ways, facebook and twitter give-aways and a variety of purchase give-aways.    When we first opened our twitter and facebook accounts, we had a give-away that involved a clue hunt across Wagener and the winner received a free Carhartt winter jacket. 

Tyler Brothers has always had wonderful customers and we like to stay engaged with you.

 


 

Food Dept. ~ Piggly Wiggly, 1934

From 1934 - 1996, in what is currently our lawn and garden department, the downtairs level of Tyler Brothers was a grocery store.  We offered three aisles of dry goods with the dairy and meat department on the back wall.  The aisles weren't quite wide enough for two buggies to pass. 

In 1996, we were proud to move our grocery department across the street into our new building, The Piggly Wiggly, which, by the way, was the first building in Wagener to have electronic doors.