The story of Yates Home PRO begins long before the terms “big box stores” or “chain retailers” were ever heard. In 1967, Bob Yates had an idea about opening a small “one-stop-shop” for his community. Although Bob was a rural mail carrier, he knew he had the support and help of his family to bring his idea to life. On July 4, 1967, Yates Home Store was opened. While Bob continued to run his daily mail route, his family stepped in to run the business. At the end of his mail route each day, Bob would start his shift at the store. The store opened each morning at 7:30 a.m. and remained open until midnight, six days a week. On Sunday, the store opened after church services were complete and closed at 6:00 p.m. The store was always open on holidays. 

With the time and attention only a family can give, the business thrived and expansions were needed. Bob retired from the Postal service in 1978 and began the first major expansion to the store. Between 1973 and 1990, four more buildings were added in addition to two warehouses in the 1980s. In 1986, the state of Tennessee purchased the land on which the original Yates store was located. Bob Yates decided to purchase new land and rebuild his
store. In January of 1990, construction of the new building began. Before each beginning, there must be an end. Unfortunately, Bob Yates was diagnosed with cancer in March of 1990. Although his desire was to see the new store completed and fully operational, he passed away in December of that year. Stepping into his father’s footsteps, Harkey Yates took over as manager of the new store. Harkey oversaw much of the expansion that included an additional lumberyard. Without warning, the Yates family suffered the loss of Harkey in 2011. Armed with the many years of knowledge gained in working at the store, his sister, Overia, took over the reins.

Overia and her husband, J.R. Russell, have a vested interest in the community and are proud to offer the same “one-stop-shop” services her father did. They have continued to expand the inventory and now offer services not found at larger “box stores.” It’s the personal service offered at Yates Home PRO that makes the business so successful but it is family that bonds it together.