Hoffman Office Center is located in downtown Mount Gilead at 33 East Center Street (one block south of the Village Square).  The store, formerly known as Fate Office Supply, was opened for business in the rear of the old Mount Gilead Telephone Company on Main Street in 1964 by Newt and Rosie Fate.  It was their pride and joy for more than thirty years.  The Fates operated the business until their retirement in 1990 when they passed on the torch and sold the business to their son David.

"They loved the business, they loved the town and they loved the people they served for all those many years," said David Fate. 

It was not an easy decision for the senior Fates to give up their business.  Their hopes had been that David would continue on with the family business.  But those hopes ended when David became an accounts manager for the Xerox Corporation.   Realizing that David's career and future were with Xerox, the senior Fates were very understanding and felt comfortable with David's decision to sell the store to Tim Hoffman in January of 1996.

Tim Hoffman, a lifetime Mount Gilead resident, began working for the Fates in 1984 and took over the day to day operations of the store in 1990 when Newt and Rosie Fate sold the business to their son David.  Tim was the only person the Fates ever considered to purchase the office supply business since he had worked for them for twelve years and has all of the business qualities plus a degree in marketing and retail management.  Tim Hoffman is a 1982 Mount Gilead High School graduate and has been a volunteer fire fighter for nearly twenty-six years.  He is also an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and business community.

The store remained as Fate Office Supply until the name changed to Hoffman Office Center in January of 1997.  The location remains the same as the day that Newt and Rosie Fate first opened the door for business.  While carrying on the proud tradition of excellent service started by the Fates, Hoffman Office Center continues to have a complete line of office supplies and now offers office furniture with free set up and delivery, fax and copy services, computer accessories, and UPS Shipping Services with daily pickups.  The store can also handle custom ordered promotional items that local businesses can use for advertisements.  Hoffman Office Center, recognized throughout Morrow County and the five neighboring counties as well, is eager to meet the community's needs for an office supply headquarters.