On July 5, 1988, Jimmy T. Pate purchased a small old fashioned 25-year old hardware store and lumber yard in Comanche, TX. that had been closed. Not only did the building go through massive remodeling and restocking stages to update the appearance and operation when it was purchased, but it also went through three different expansion additions within the next 14 years.

In August of 1993, Mr. Pate purchased a vacant building in Deleon to remodel for a second hardware and lumber location. This brought on the need to incorporate, so the name changed to Pate's Hardware, Inc. to accommodate the company's growth. Then in 2000 the Deleon store had to be expanded in order to meet the need for more inventory.

In May 1995, Mr. Pate saw the advantage of diversifying his business. He purchased buildings and other lots across the highway from the hardware store in Comanche and opened Pate's Rental. The rental store operates completely separate from the hardware store. It rents everything from hand tools to heavy equipment, and more.

In August 1997, Mr. Pate designed and built a new hardware store and state-of-the-art lumber facility in Early, TX. It was opened in April 1998, and included drive-through lumber racks.

Pate's also began operation of a fleet of two-ton delivery trucks, and 18 wheelers, for delivery and mill pick-up, in 2000. Buying from the mills and transporting their own goods has allowed Pate's to pass their savings on directly to their customers.

In 2003, Mr. Pate made another expansion in Comanche, which included a warehouse and office space. The General Office centralizes the payroll, bookkeeping, accounting procedures and purchasing, for all the stores.

In April 2006, Mr. Pate opened an additional hardware store and lumber yard in Granbury, TX. This space was remodeled, and it was the first store to have a complete lumber yard facility indoors.

In June 2006, Mr. Pate opened another hardware store in Weatherford, TX. Pate's rented the building and remodeled the space to be able to provide hardware, plumbing, electrical, tools, and lawn and garden items.

In August 2008, Mr. Pate purchased a store in Breckenridge, TX. The store was remodeled while remaining open to continue to service the customers.

In September 2010, Mr. Pate purchased a building in Stamford, TX. After a complete remodel and installation of lumber racks, the store was opened in November. This store offers rental equipment along with a large selection of hardware, lumber, and building products for all your building needs.

In July 2012, Mr. Pate purchased a store in Stanton, TX. This store went through a massive remodel on both the inside and outside and was opened in November 2012.

Mr. Pate also saw an opportunity to expand the business in July of 2012 when he purchased a space in Comanche, TX and opened a Distribution Center to service all of our stores. The Distribution center now is the center for Pate's large fleet of delivery trucks that transport goods from the mills and make deliveries to Pate's customers all over Texas.

The Pate's stores pride themselves on superior customer service and look forward to the opportunity to service you.

Today the Pate family, which includes Mr. Pate, his wife, their four sons and two daughters-in-law, still owns and actively manages the company, with the help of an outstanding professional staff.