Sandy Mush business offers a one-stop shop for parts, as well as flowers, candles and jams

What started as the search for a building for storage turned into a new career for David Harmon.

"Years ago the Moores - Frank and John - owned a parts store. One day he pulled me aside and said if he was my age, he'd put a parts store over in the new mall," Harmon said. But it wasn't until 2005 that he followed up on the advice, opening The Parts Place in Sandy Mush.

Prior to owning the store - which boasts a large inventory of tractor parts for all makes and models from 1939 and up, Harmon said - he worked in construction. He and his partner, Jean Hardin, repaired rehab houses as well as going on the road with Hardin's jams and jellies. It was through the search for a building to store the jams and jellies that they came across the building that's home to both of their businesses.

"This has been a parts store since 1970 and started as Sandy Mush Auto Parts," Harmon said. Harmon seized the opportunity to own the building and a parts business; suffering from knee issues, it was time to do something different, he said.

"After working outside in the dirt, heat, rain, bugs ... this is one step behind heaven," he added.

The name, Harmon continued, says it all. The store sells parts for cars, trucks and lawnmowers. About one-third of the inventory, Harmon said, is tractor parts.

"If he can't find a tractor part, it can't be found," Hardin said.

"I have days where I don't sell any tractor parts, and then there are days when that's all I sell," Harmon said.

No matter what products a customer is looking for, Harmon takes pleasure in finding it for them.

"I get enjoyment out of helping people," he said. "Anything I sell, I stand behind, and so does the manufacturer if you have a problem with it."

Service and quality are just two expectations customers can expect to have met, he continued.

"I once had a customer who thought the price of a battery for his lawnmower was too high," Harmon said. "He went on to say he had to buy a battery every year at a big box store. I explained that the battery he would buy from me would last five years.

"If I can't help you with a problem," he continued, "I'm not going to give you another one. Every day here is customer appreciation day."

While Harmon mostly minds the part store, he does have help from Hardin and her daughter, Amy, when it comes to assisting customers. Hardin's business, Flowers by Jean, which includes the jams and jellies but also candles, incense and memorial flowers, is at the back of the store.

Hardin began making memorial flowers for roadsides and gravestones almost 20 years ago, she said. She started out making them for her own late relatives, and soon branched out to offer the service to others.

"It gives me a chance to provide comfort for families who are grieving," Hardin said.

She recalled a local family who came in to order memorial flowers in their late daughter's favorite colors. To see their gratitude when they picked up the finished product was a touching moment.

"I know how much it means to people," she said. "My daddy always made sure there were flowers on the graves. He loved all flowers."

Her flowers aren't just used in Rutherford County. She's even shipped them as far away as Alaska.

"We had a woman who contacted us and asked if we could make one in the shape of an anchor," Hardin said. "She had seen my flowers online.... That was quite an experience!"

Harmon said that Hardin teases him every so often that they should just "take it to the house," he has no plans to retire any time soon.

"I don't want to go anywhere else," he said. "It's confining, but it keeps my mind active. As long as there's a breath in me, I'll be here I guess."

The Parts Place and Flowers by Jean, locally owned and operated, are located at 324 US Hwy 221-A. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 8am-3pm.