Eric Little, owner, and David Little, employee for over 25 years, are the second generation of brothers in this family business.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
- Business Focus
by Melanie Sharpe-Lessen, Quill Reporter
Little Brothers Inc. is a mechanical contracting business with offices in La Harpe and Carthage.
Today they provide heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical parts and service to around 3000 customers spread over seven counties in the tri-state area.
Eric Little, owner, and David Little, employee for over 25 years, are the second generation of brothers in this family business.
Sixty years ago, Little Brothers' beginning came from the end of Marshall Hardware, La Harpe's local hardware store, when merchandise became unavailable during World War II.
In 1945, Robert Little bought the fixtures from Mr. Marshall's store which was located where The Treasure Vault is currently on the south side of Main Street. Robert moved these fixtures to the former pool hall - the east half of the building that currently sits empty at the northeast corner of Main and Center Streets - and set up shop as hardware merchandise became available again.
Around 1946, Stanley who preferred plumbing joined with Robert who preferred electrical and Little Brothers Hardware branched into bathroom and water heater installations that were so new and popular after the War.
As the youngest Little, Lldon, graduated and entered the work force, a third brother joined the business and for a short time in the early 1950s had a branch hardware store in Roseville.
Richard Little, another brother, helped out around the store also. In 1964, the brothers became dealers for Lennox heating products.
Along with the usual hardware store stock, Fridgidaire and Maytag appliances were also available as their business thrived on that corner of Main & Center streets. Over time, technology has changed and advanced the tools of their trade. Little Brothers has welcomed and adapted to these changes. As air conditioning became affordable and popular, it was added to their repertoire as well.
In 1973, the brothers incorporated to form Little Brothers, Inc. with Stanley, Robert, and Lldon being the shareholders. A move to the current building at 102 N Center was made in the mid 1960s, with a short stint back across the street to the Main Street building from 1986 to 1988 during remodeling of the current building.
Stanley and Robert retired by 1982 and sold their shares to Lldon. A Carthage office was opened in 1990, at the corner of Buchannan and Hwy 136.
In 1996, Lldon retired and sold the business to his son, Eric. Over the last nine years, Little Brothers has continued to grow under his management and has expanded into indoor air quality systems, water conditioning systems, fireplace installations, and back into basic hardware supplies.
Eric prides himself on being able to track down parts for and make repairs to just about anything with the help of his Office Manager, Pat Berlet; Service Technicians, David Little and Hank Heberling; and Handyman, Salty Freeman.
Little Brothers, Inc. is proud to be part of the La Harpe Community and looks forward to many more years of quality service to the area.
"Richard Little, Robert Little, Dean Beals and Lldon Little look over the gift possibilities in Christmas 1959."