The County Line
Two of the longest-running businesses on the Noblesville Courthouse Square are up for sale with owners planning retirements.
Smith Jewelry Store, owned and operated by Odell Lakes, and Kirk Hardware, owned by Bill Prater, have both been in business longer than most folks can remember. They are truly institutions on the Square. Smith Jewelers opened 73 years ago at its present location in the historic building at 98 N. 9th St., built in 1870 by the Masonic Lodge, which occupied an upper level until moving to its South 9th Street location.
Lakes offers watch repair and engraved gifts in addition to jewelry and watches. He purchased the business in 1970. He has a potential buyer and will give the buyer first option to also purchase the building.
Odell will retire in March. He currently has a “retirement sale” in progress, but hopes to see the business remain after the sale. He will keep his home in Carmel, but also plans to spend time in the South during retirement.
Kirk’s is the iconic small-town hardware store jammed with hardware and houseware items of all sorts. It still has ladders on rollers to allow access to items of high shelves. The repair of window screens and storm windows and the repair of lamps are among the services Prater offers.
The store was started in 1889 by the Griffin Brothers. The name Kirk was adopted in the early 1950s when Roy Kirk bought the store. Later owned by David Kingsolver, Prater, who has worked at the store for 38 years, purchased the operation in 2002.
The building at 848 Logan St. dates to 1889. For several years it housed the Noblesville Boys Club on the third floor until the club moved to facilities on East Conner Street.
A change of “personality” will certainly be seen on the square with the retirement of Lakes and Prater, two of its most dedicated and longest-serving business owners.