Makinson Hardware - Oldest in the State of Florida
Makinson Hardware, located in the heart of downtown Kissimmee, is the oldest retail hardware store still in operation in the state of Florida. Founded just one year after arriving in Kissimmee and in 1884 by W.B. Makinson, the first store was a hardware and grocery partnership with friend J.M. Katz.
The original store was located at what today would be Darlington Avenue and Pleasant Street. Makinson Hardware was rebuilt in 1900 at its present location, since the original structure had burned down.