Early’s Honey Stand has been selling authentic Tennessee foods for 87 years, most recently from a store front in Spring Hill. Williamson County’s oldest retail business is now opening in a new location on Main Street in Franklin. The once office of Dr. McPhail, 209 East Main Street, will now serve as store front for Early’s.
In 1925 Erskine Early founded a roadside stand that turned into a nationally recognized tourist attraction and mail-order business. The story is that the stand was opened to catch tourists headed to Florida. Rich golden honey, sweet sorghum, slow-smoked sausage and country hams were available and the mail-order business boomed after Interstate 65 re-routed a good bit of Early’s normal traffic.
Today the mail-order business continues as they move the face of the business to downtown. “The downtown Franklin family has welcomed us with open arms, and we’re looking forward to starting a new tradition here,” said Curtis Gibbs, president of Early’s Honey Stand. “We believe Main Street’s sense of community and love of history compliments our company’s heritage and our mission to offer all-natural native products.”
Gibbs and family purchased Early’s after Erskine’s passing. “We’ve stayed true to our roots. Our meats are smoked and cured through natural methods that have been used for hundreds of years,” Gibbs said. “We never cook, clarify or filter any of our honey. We’re trying to help you eat the way your great-grandmother did.”
Stop by the store Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or look them up online at www.earlygifts.com.
Please join our FREE Newsletter
