Coldwater Seed & Supply celebrates century of cultivating Tuscumbia community

TUSCUMBIA — The “War to End All Wars” had ended and the nation was at the dawn of the greatest economic disaster in history.

It was 1924 when Percy Hoskins bought Florence Seed & Feed from Billy Wiggins.

He then moved the store across the river to Sixth Street in downtown Tuscumbia. Hoskins renamed the store to Hoskins Seed Store, laying the foundation for Coldwater Seed & Supply.

A cornerstone of Tuscumbia’s downtown and agricultural community,  Coldwater Seed & Supply celebrated its 100th anniversary with a “birthday party” last Saturday.

Although it is the oldest seed store in Alabama, Coldwater Seed & Supply is like a dry goods store. It has one of the largest collections of Case knives in the state, along with popular products such as Turner Hats and Minelab Metal Detectors.

There have been five owners over the store’s 100 years and now Kim and Larry Lewis are at the helm. The couple are co-founders of ProjectXYZ in Huntsville; Kim is CEO and Larry is president.

Also, Larry is a native of Tuscumbia and visited the store as a child with his grandfather.

“Purchasing Coldwater Seed & Supply was more than a business decision for me,” he said. “It was about preserving history and cherished family memories for the Tuscumbia community.

“This store holds a special place in the hearts of many in Tuscumbia, and it’s an honor to continue its legacy.”