Henne Hardware                       Biography

Louis Henne began the Louis Henne Company in 1857 at the age of 17 upon the death of his father,  expanding the family tin-smithing operation into general hardware and mercantile.  It could be easily said that over the next century Henne Hardware built New Braunfels providing items like hardware, lumber, pipe, plumbing services, carriages, stoves, drygoods, sporting goods, housewares, toys, gifts and of course, tin products. 

Today Henne Hardware has been revitalized with an emphasis on providing basic hardware, specialty and hard to find items, and practical gifts, all in a unique shopping environment.

150 years after founding, Henne Hardware is still known for excellent customer service and as a convenient, stress-free shopping experience in an outstanding historical setting.

Henne Hardware is located in an ornate, two-story Victorian building built in 1893 by the Henne family.  It was custom-built for the hardware business and includes unique features like inch-thick wood floors, an ornate tin ceiling, shelving, bins and furnishings specially designed for their purpose, rolling ladders, a hand operated elevator, and cable-guided money trolleys, predating the use of cash registers, are still in place, a basement with a functioning well, and a spectacular vault in the office area.

Details like parquet floors in the show windows and glass and wood display cases with solid brass fixtures bear witness to the Henne's pride of ownership and the German practice of quality craftsmanship.  Henne Hardware now carries a full line of hardware, plumbing supplies, electrical materials, tools, lawn and garden needs, painting accessories and much more. Henne's large selection of bulk nails are sold by the pound (or ounce) at exceptional prices, and the extensive inventory of loose bolts, nuts, screws and other fasteners are sold individually or by the box.

Henne also stocks cast iron cookware, galvanized tubs and pails, nutcrackers and pecan picker-uppers, meat grinders and accessories, lanterns, stovepipe and wood burning stoves and accessories, river tubes, patio furniture, quality homecare products and other housewares.

In addition to retail sales, Henne provides personalized customer services like key cutting and rekeying, glass cutting, tool sharpening, pipe cutting and threading, screen repair, small mechanical/electrical repairs, and assistance with home repairs and renovations.

Henne Hardware is located in historic downtown New Braunfels.  Customers can find ample parking in the rear of the store off Mill Street including covered parking next to the rear door.  Streetside parking is also available in the front of the store on West San Antonio Street. Regular customers, newcomers, visitors seeking unique gifts, history or architectural buff, or casual browsers are sure to find Henne Hardware a comfortable and memorable shopping experience. 

Since 1857 Henne Hardware has continued the tradition of its founder, Louis Henne, of offering quality merchandise and providing personalized service to each customer.

Texas’ oldest hardware establishment is a full service hardware store offering a broad selection of traditional hardware merchandise.  Henne Hardware also features specialty housewares products, nostalgic toys, practical gifts, and hard-to-find items.  Key, glass, screen and small appliance repair services are provided, as well as special ordering from Henne’s extensive catalog file.

The Henne Building, constructed in 1893, is a beautifully preserved architectural gem featuring original tin ceilings, wood floors and vintage hardware fixtures and display cases.  The ambiance  has changed little in a hundred years.  A step into Henne Hardware is a step back in time!