Dawson Taylor: Virginia Beach’s Hardware Visionary | Virginia Beach News

Dawson Taylor, the beloved founder of Taylor’s Do It Centers and a Virginia Beach icon, passed away at 103 — just before the fireworks, a poetic end for a man who lit up his community. From humble beach umbrella rentals to building a beloved hardware empire, Taylor’s grit, vision, and neighborhood-first spirit turned a small store into a regional powerhouse. He pioneered a dealer-owned cooperative, stayed hands-on until his 90s, and kept giving — driving cancer patients, founding local groups, and creating Buff’s Garden as a lasting tribute. His legacy? A thriving business, a loyal community, and a Virginia gentleman who never stopped serving. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/13ae817e67f7c31e