HANDY HARDWARE WHOLESALE INC
S-2, 1999-04-26
HARDWARE & PLUMBING & HEATING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Previous: FIDELITY CHARLES STREET TRUST, 497, 1999-04-26
Next: VARIABLE ANNUITY LIFE INSURANCE CO SEPARATE ACCOUNT A, 485BPOS, 1999-04-26



The  information in this  prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  We may
not sell  these  securities  until the  registration  statement  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell and it is not  soliciting an offer to buy these  securities in any state
where the offer or sale is not permitted.

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 1999
                           Registration Statement No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                            -------------------------

                                    FORM S-2
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            -------------------------

                         HANDY HARDWARE WHOLESALE, INC.
               (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

       Texas                 8300 Tewantin Drive             74-1381875
(State of Incorporation)     Houston, Texas  77061         (I.R.S. Employer
                             (713) 644-1495                Identification No.)
                        (Address and telephone number of
                    Registrant's principal executive offices)
                            -------------------------

   James D. Tipton                                    Copy to:
      President                                    Donald W. Brodsky
 Handy Hardware Wholesale, Inc.                       Bo C. Chandler
   8300 Tewantin Drive                              Jenkens & Gilchrist, 
    Housston, Texas 77061                         A Professional Corporation
      (713) 644-1495                              1100 Louisiana, Suite 1800
(Name, address and telephone                        Houston, Texas 77002 
number of agent for service)

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box: |X|

     If the  Registrant  elects to deliver its latest  annual report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof,  pursuant to Item 11(a)(1)
of this Form, check the following box: |X|
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title of Each Class of                           Proposed Maximum        Proposed Maximum
Securities to be         Number of Shares to     Offering Price per      Aggregate Offering      Amount of Registration
Registered               be Registered               Share                   Price                        Fee
<S>                          <C>                       <C>               <C>                           <C>   
Class A Common                                                                                         
Stock, $100 par value        5,000                     $100.00           $  500,000                    $  139.00
Class B Common Stock,                                                                                           
$100 par value              20,000                     $100.00           $2,000,000                    $  556.00
Preferred Stock,                                                     
$100 par value              25,000                     $100.00           $2,500,000                    $  695.00
TOTAL                       50,000                                       $5,000,000                    $1,390.00
</TABLE>


     The registrant  hereby amends this  registration  statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further  amendment  which  specifically  states  that  this  registration
statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the  Securities  Act of 1933 or until the  registration  statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission  acting  pursuant to such Section 8(a),
may determine.





<PAGE>



                         HANDY HARDWARE WHOLESALE, INC.

                              CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
                  Between Items of Form S-2 and the Prospectus


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Item No.                                                                 Prospectus Caption
- --------                                                                  ------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>
 1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
      Front Cover Page of Prospectus.......................................Cover Page
 2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
      Prospectus...........................................................Table of Contents
 3. Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of
      Earnings to Fixed Charges............................................The Company; The Offering; Ratio of
                                                                           Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
                                                                           Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements
 4. Use of Proceeds........................................................Cover Page; Use of Proceeds
 5. Determination of Offering Price........................................Determination of Offering Price
 6. Dilution...............................................................Inapplicable
 7. Selling Security Holders...............................................Inapplicable
 8. Plan of Distribution...................................................Plan of Distribution
 9. Description of Securities to be Registered.............................Dividend Policy; Description of Capital
                                                                           Stock
10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.................................Inapplicable
11. Information with Respect to the Registrant.............................Where You Can Find More Information; 
                                                                           The Company; Description of Capital
                                                                           Stock;Incorporation of Documents by 
                                                                           Reference
12. Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference......................Incorporation of Documents by Reference
13. Disclosure of Commission Position on
      Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities.......................Inapplicable
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



PROSPECTUS

                                     Subject to Completion, dated April 26, 1999

The  information in this  prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  We may
not sell  these  securities  until the  registration  statement  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell and it is not  soliciting an offer to buy these  securities in any state
where the offer or sale is not permitted.

                         HANDY HARDWARE WHOLESALE, INC.

                       5,000 Shares of Class A Common Stock
                      20,000 Shares of Class B Common Stock
                      25,000 Shares of Preferred Stock


     Only  member-dealers  of Handy  Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc. may purchase the
securities  offered by this prospectus.  No active trading market exists for any
class of Handy stock,  and we do not  anticipate any trading market will develop
in the future. We are offering these securities without an underwriter. No sales
commission will be paid. Our estimated expenses for this offering total $23,960.
The following table shows a breakdown of the offering:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Number             Per Share      
Class of Securities     of Shares         Price to Public        Proceeds to Handy
- -------------------     ---------         ---------------        -----------------
<S>                      <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Class A Common Stock      5,000                $100                 $  500,000
Class B Common Stock     20,000                $100                 $2,000,000
Preferred Stock          25,000                $100                 $2,500,000
</TABLE>

     Only holders of Class A Common Stock have voting rights.  No dividends have
ever been paid on Class A or Class B Common  Stock.  The  holders  of  preferred
stock  receive a  cumulative  annual  dividend as  declared by Handy's  board of
directors. This dividend must range from 7%-20% of the purchase price of a share
of preferred stock and is the only form of return on stock  investment in Handy.
Upon liquidation and distribution of Handy's assets,  holders of preferred stock
will be paid first,  with  holders of Class A and Class B Common  Stock  sharing
ratably in the distribution of the remaining assets.

Neither  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  nor  any  state  securities
commission  has approved  these  securities or determined if this  prospectus is
truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


                                  May __, 1999


                                        1

<PAGE>



                                Table of Contents

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

The Company....................................................................3
The Offering...................................................................3
Use of Proceeds................................................................3
Dividend Policy................................................................4
Determination of Offering Price................................................4
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
   Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements.......................................5
Plan of Distribution...........................................................6
Description of Capital Stock...................................................8
Summary of Dealer Contract.....................................................9
Legal Matters..................................................................9
Experts.......................................................................10
Where You Can Find More Information...........................................10

     You should rely only on the information  contained in this  prospectus.  We
have not  authorized  anyone to give you any other  information.  If you receive
unauthorized  information you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell and
seeking offers to buy these  securities only in  jurisdictions  where offers and
sales are permitted.  The  information  contained in this prospectus is accurate
only as of the date of this prospectus.






                                        2

<PAGE>



                                   THE COMPANY

     In 1961  thirteen  independent  hardware  dealers  formed  Handy to provide
warehouse facilities and purchasing services to independent hardware dealers. By
forming Handy, these independent  hardware dealers obtained better buying power.
Handy refers to these independent  hardware dealers as its member-dealers.  Each
member-dealer  signs a dealer contract in which the member-dealer  agrees to buy
some or all of its  merchandise  from Handy.  In  addition,  each  member-dealer
enters into a stock  subscription  agreement to purchase our stock.  These stock
subscriptions  provide Handy with capital.  Member-dealers  own Handy  entirely.
This  prospectus  covers  stock  sold to our  member-dealers  as  part of  their
purchases of goods. For more detail, see "Plan of Distribution" on page 6. As of
March 1, 1999,  Handy's 1,021  member-dealers  owned  hardware  stores in Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mexico and Central
America.

     To service our  member-dealers,  we maintain a central warehouse and office
facility in Houston,  Texas. In addition, we lease 32 vehicles which haul our 55
enclosed  trailers  to  deliver  merchandise  to our  member-dealers.  We charge
member-dealers our cost of merchandise plus a small markup charge,  resulting in
a lower price than a  member-dealer  can obtain on its own. For a more  detailed
description of operations, see Items 1 and 2 on pages 1-7 of Handy's 1998 Annual
Report on Form 10-K.


                                  THE OFFERING

Securities offered........................ 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
                                          20,000 shares of Class B Common Stock
                                          25,000 shares of Preferred Stock

Price of each share offered...............$100

Use of proceeds...........................Expansion of inventory, purchase of 
                                          equipment and building improvements

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     Handy will receive net offering  proceeds of up to $5,000,000 from the sale
of  these  securities.  We  expect  to use  proceeds  from the  offering  in the
following manner and priority:

           o       $2,214,000  for inventory expansion;
           o          $35,000  for computer upgrades;
           o          $25,000  for warehouse equipment expansion and upgrades;
           o          $60,000  for upgrading company cars;
           o          $40,000  for upgrading office equipment; and
           o       $2,626,000  for building improvements.
                   ----------
           o       $5,000,000  Total

If we receive net  offering  proceeds of less than  $5,000,000,  we will use our
working capital to fund the remaining cost of the above projects.



                                        3

<PAGE>





                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

     Our  Articles  of  Incorporation  require  us to  pay  a  dividend  on  our
outstanding  preferred stock.  Each year our board declares the dividend amount,
which must range between 7-20% of the amount paid by  member-dealers to purchase
their  preferred  stock.  The  dividend  is paid  only to  stockholders  who own
preferred  stock on January 31 of each year.  We prorate the dividend  paid if a
stockholder  has owned preferred stock for less than one year. From year to year
the amount of the preferred  stock dividend  depends upon our earnings,  capital
requirements and financial condition.  The table below shows dividends paid over
the past five years on  preferred  stock as a  percentage  of the $100  purchase
price of a share.

                                   1995 -- 10%
                                   1996 -- 12%
                                   1997 -- 13%
                                   1998 -- 13%
                                   1999 -- 10%

     We have never paid a cash dividend on either class of our common stock, and
we do not  anticipate  doing  so in the  future.  Our  goal  is to  provide  our
member-dealers   with  low   cost,   quality   merchandise   to   increase   the
member-dealers'  profits.  To do so, we  attempt to keep our gross  profit  from
merchandise sales at a constant level. With the exception of funds needed to pay
preferred stock dividends,  we traditionally  retain all earnings to finance the
development and growth of our business.


                         DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

     Because no active trading market exists for any class of Handy's stock,  we
have always set our stock's offering price at $100 per share, its par value. For
more  information  regarding  the market for  Handy's  shares,  see  "Market for
Registrant's  Common  Equity and  Related  Stockholder  Matters"  on page 7-8 of
Handy's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

     To our knowledge, only two forms of secondary trading in Handy's securities
exist. Stock may be transferred from one member-dealer to another,  or Handy may
repurchase   shares   from   retiring   member-dealers   or  from   overinvested
member-dealers  at a price of $100 per  share.  For more  information  regarding
Handy's repurchase of shares, see "Note 8 - Stockholders'  Equity" on page 31-32
of  Handy's  1998  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  and  "Plan of  Distribution  -
Repurchases from Overinvested Member- Dealers" page 7 of this prospectus.



                                        4

<PAGE>



                   RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
                    AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS

     The  following  table shows  Handy's  ratio of  earnings to combined  fixed
charges and Handy's  preferred  stock  dividend  requirements  for the last five
fiscal years. For all years presented,  our earnings exceeded the combined fixed
charges and preferred  stock dividend  requirements.  "Earnings"  include pretax
earnings from continuing operations, to which has been added back fixed charges.
"Fixed  charges"  include  interest  expense,  the  portion  of  rental  expense
attributable to interest,  and  amortization of debt expense.  "Preferred  stock
dividend  requirements"  cover the amount of pre-tax  earnings  required  to pay
preferred stock dividends.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended December 31,
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1994              1995              1996             1997              1998
                                              ----              ----              ----             ----              ---- 
<S>                                     <C>                <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>
Earnings                                                   

Pretax Earnings                         $    887,785       $ 1,568,634        $ 1,857,326      $ 2,169,718       $ 1,387,437
  Plus: Fixed Charges                        352,012           338,758            333,464          197,367           176,769
                                        ------------       -----------        -----------      -----------       -----------
         Total Earnings                 $  1,239,797       $ 1,907,392        $ 2,190,790      $ 2,367,085       $ 1,564,206
                                        ============       ===========        ===========      ===========       ===========
Fixed Charges

Interest Expense                             248,746           236,743            172,483           42,804            45,273
Rental Expense                               103,266           102,015            160,981          154,563           131,496
Amortization of Debt Expense                      -0-               -0-                -0-              -0-               -0-
                                        ------------       -----------        -----------      -----------       -----------
         Total Fixed Charges                 352,012           338,758            333,464          197,367           176,769

Preferred Stock Dividend                     
Requirements                                 685,397           617,162            792,352          955,095         1,066,200
                                        ------------       -----------        -----------      -----------       -----------
         Total Fixed Charges    
         and Preferred Stock
         Dividend Requirements          $  1,037,409       $   955,920        $ 1,125,816      $ 1,152,462       $ 1,242,969
                                        ============       ===========        ===========      ===========       ===========
Ratio of Earnings to Combined
Fixed Charges and Preferred                
Stock Dividend Requirements                     1.19              2.00               1.95             2.05              1.26
                                        ============       ===========        ===========      ===========       ===========
</TABLE>









                                        5

<PAGE>



                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     Only Handy's  member-dealers  may purchase the  securities  offered by this
prospectus.  We deliver this prospectus to each  member-dealer and any potential
member-dealer.  We are offering these securities in a continuous  offering until
April 30, 2000.  We expect to extend this  offering  after that date until April
30, 2002. All new member-dealers must enter into a stock subscription  agreement
to make an  initial  purchase  of  Handy's  Class A Common  Stock,  followed  by
periodic purchases of Handy's Class B Common Stock and preferred stock.

Purchase of Class A Common Stock by New Member-Dealers

     Handy  requires  each new  member-dealer  to purchase,  for $1,000 cash, 10
shares  of  Class A  Common  Stock  at $100 per  share.  Handy  does not  permit
member-dealers to purchase more than 10 shares of Class A Common Stock.

Purchases of Class B Common Stock and Preferred Stock by Member-Dealers

         Collecting Funds from  Member-Dealers  to Purchase Class B Common Stock
and Preferred Stock.

     Handy prepares a semi-monthly statement for each member-dealer stating that
member-dealer's  total  merchandise  purchases  made during the  preceding  half
month. Total merchandise  purchases include both the  member-dealer's  inventory
purchases from our warehouse and that  member-dealer's  purchases  directly from
the manufacturer  that are billed through us. An additional  charge of 2% of the
member-dealer's warehouse purchases is invoiced on each statement. We accumulate
the funds from this 2% charge for each  member-dealer to use for its purchase of
Class B Common Stock and preferred  stock.  When a  member-dealer's  accumulated
funds total at least  $2,000,  we apply  $2,000 to the  purchase of 10 shares of
Class B Common  Stock and 10 shares of  preferred  stock and retain any  amounts
above $2,000 until the  accumulated  amounts again equal the $2,000 required for
additional  purchases.  Our board may, but  traditionally  has not, included the
amount of purchases made by a member-dealer  directly from the manufacturer when
making the 2% calculation.

         How to Calculate the Desired Stock Ownership Level.

     During March of each year,  Handy calculates each  member-dealer's  desired
stock  ownership  level,   which  must  be  at  least  $10,000.   We  base  each
member-dealer's  desired  stock  ownership  level  on the  value  of  its  total
merchandise  purchases  made  during the  January 1 to December 31 period of the
previous year. We first determine the value of the member-dealer's  actual stock
ownership,  which equals the total number of all Class A Common  Stock,  Class B
Common  Stock and  preferred  stock owned on December 31 of the  previous  year,
times $100 per share.  Depending on the member-dealer's actual ownership amount,
we apply one of the formulas in the table below to determine  its desired  stock
ownership level.



                                        6

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Actual Stock                                         
     Ownership                                           Desired Stock Ownership
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>

$1 to $31,249            $1.00 for every $8.00   of total merchandise purchases

$31,250 to               $1.00 for every $8.00   of total merchandise purchases from $1 to $250,000
$56,249              +   $1.00 for every $10.00  of total merchandise purchases over $250,000

$56,250 to               $1.00 for every $8.00   of total merchandise purchases from $1 to $250,000
$74,999              +   $1.00 for every $10.00  of total merchandise purchases from $250,000 to $500,000
                     +   $1.00 for every $13.33  of total merchandise purchases over $500,000

$75,000 to               $1.00 for every $8.00   of total merchandise purchases from $1 to $250,000
$87,499              +   $1.00 for every $10.00  of total merchandise purchases from $250,000 to $500,000
                     +   $1.00 for every $13.33  of total merchandise purchases from $500,000 to $750,000
                     +   $1.00 for every $20.00  of total merchandise purchases over $750,000

$87,500 and              $1.00 for every $8.00   of total merchandise purchases from $1 to $250,000
above                +   $1.00 for every $10.00  of total merchandise purchases from $250,000 to $500,000
                     +   $1.00 for every $13.33  of total merchandise purchases from $500,000 to $750,000
                     +   $1.00 for every $20.00  of total merchandise purchases from $750,000 to $1,000,000
                     +   $1.00 for every $40.00  of total merchandise purchases over $1,000,000
</TABLE>

Example of How to Calculate a Member-Dealer's Desired Stock Ownership Level.

     On December 31, a  member-dealer's  actual stock ownership  totaled $32,000
and its total  merchandise  purchases  from January 1 to December 31 amounted to
$300,000.   For  the  first  $250,000  of  total  merchandise   purchases,   the
member-dealer  should  own  $1.00 of stock for each  $8.00 of total  merchandise
purchases,  or  $31,250.  For the  member-dealer's  remaining  $50,000  of total
merchandise  purchases,  it  should  own an  additional  $1.00 of stock for each
$10.00 of total  merchandise  purchases,  or $5,000,  for a total  desired stock
ownership  of  $36,250.  This amount is $4,250  higher than the  member-dealer's
actual  stock   ownership   on  December  31.  Thus,   Handy  will  require  the
member-dealer to make additional purchases of Class B Common Stock and preferred
stock during the twelve month period beginning April 1 of the following year.

        When Actual Ownership is Greater than Desired Ownership.

     If a member-dealer's actual stock ownership at year-end exceeds its desired
stock  ownership,  it is not required to make additional  stock purchases during
the twelve month period  beginning  April 1 of the following  year.  However,  a
member-dealer may voluntarily  continue to make additional  purchases of Class B
Common  Stock and  preferred  stock by paying Handy  amounts  equal to 2% of the
member-dealer's warehouse purchases invoiced on each statement.

        Repurchases from Overinvested Member-Dealers.

     Since  1991,  we have  offered  to  repurchase  Class B  Common  Stock  and
preferred  stock from  member-dealers  whose actual stock ownership has exceeded
their  desired  stock  ownership  by  $4,000  or  more.  Each  year we  offer to
repurchase one-fourth of the member-dealer's excess amount at that time, equally
divided  between  shares  of  Class B  Common  Stock  and  preferred  stock.  We
repurchase  the shares at the full  initial  sales  price of $100 per share.  In




                                        7

<PAGE>



1998,  member-dealers  resold to Handy  approximately 11% of the shares eligible
for  repurchase.  Handy paid  $28,400 for these 1998  repurchases.  We intend to
continue to offer to repurchase from  member-dealers  their entire  overinvested
amounts eligible for repurchase. Our ability to make such repurchases,  however,
will depend upon our future results of operations,  liquidity, capital needs and
other financial  factors.  We cannot assure you that repurchase offers will take
place in the future, or if so, in what amounts or over what time periods.


Existing Member-Dealers Who Open New Stores

     If a current  member-dealer opens an additional store, Handy will treat the
new store,  also known as a  member-dealer  affiliate,  as a new  member-dealer.
However,  we require the member-dealer  affiliate to make an initial purchase of
10 shares of preferred  stock rather than 10 shares of Class A Common Stock.  We
treat  the   member-dealer   affiliate  as  an  entirely  separate  entity  when
determining  required  Class B Common Stock and preferred  stock  purchases.  We
calculate  a  separate  desired  stock  ownership  level  for the  member-dealer
affiliate and the  member-dealer  affiliate has its own account for its funds to
be used to purchase its Class B Common Stock and preferred stock.

  When Actual Stock Ownership is Less than Desired Stock Ownership

     If Handy determines that the  member-dealer's  actual stock ownership level
on the previous  December 31 was less than his desired  stock  ownership  level,
Handy  will  begin in April  of the  following  year to  collect  funds  for the
member-dealer's purchase of additional Class B Common Stock and preferred stock.
We will  continue  to collect  these funds for one year until the next March 31,
even after the  member-dealer  attains its desired stock ownership level.  Handy
collects  these  funds  by  adding  the  2%  charge   described   above  to  the
member-dealer's  billing  statements.  Until these  funds  total  $2,000 and are
applied  to  purchase  Class  B  Common  Stock  and  preferred  stock  for  that
member-dealer, we use the funds for working capital.

  Manner of Offering

     We will only offer and sell the  securities  offered in this  prospectus in
the states of Texas,  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Florida,  Oklahoma and
Arkansas,  as well as in Mexico and Central America.  Employees who are licensed
to sell  securities  in those states or are exempt from  licensing  requirements
will  sell  these  securities.  We have not  employed  an  underwriter  for this
offering  nor will we pay  discounts  or  commissions  in making  these sales of
shares.


                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     Our Articles of Incorporation  authorize us to issue 20,000 shares of Class
A Common  Stock,  100,000  shares of Class B Common Stock and 100,000  shares of
preferred stock, each with a $100 par value per share.

Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock

     Class A common  stockholders  must  engage in the retail  sale of goods and
merchandise.  No  member-dealer  may own more  than 10  shares of Class A Common
Stock. When we submit matters for shareholder vote, a member-dealer receives one
vote for each share of Class A Common Stock it owns. Class B common stockholders
may not vote on matters  submitted to a shareholder  vote, except in the unusual
circumstances  of matters  which  would  change  their  rights as  shareholders.
Handy's board consists of ten directors. At each annual meeting, Handy's Class A






                                        8

<PAGE>

common stockholders elect three directors,  each to serve a three year term, and
one  additional  director  to serve a one year  term as both a  director  and as
President of Handy.

     Class A and  Class B  common  stockholders  have no  preemptive  rights  to
purchase  any  securities.  Upon the  liquidation  and  distribution  of Handy's
assets,  holders of preferred stock will be paid first,  with holders of Class A
and Class B Common Stock sharing  ratably in the  distribution  of the remaining
assets. As of March 23, 1999, there were 897 holders of record of Class A Common
Stock and 761 holders of record of Class B Common Stock.

     Class A common stockholders must offer to sell their shares to Handy before
selling  them to a third  person.  Handy has never  declined to purchase  shares
offered to it.  Handy does not  restrict  transfer of Class B Common  Stock.  We
believe that  member-dealers or former  member-dealers own all shares of Class A
Common  Stock  and  member-dealers,   former   member-dealers  or  member-dealer
affiliates own all shares of Class B Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

     Preferred  stockholders  are  entitled  to  receive  cumulative  dividends.
According to our Articles of Incorporation,  our board declares these dividends,
which must range from 7-20% of the purchase  price of the shares.  Each share of
preferred  stock has a $100 per share  liquidation  value.  The preferred  stock
dividend  is the only  form of return on stock  investment  in Handy.  Preferred
stockholders  are  not  entitled  to  vote  on  matters  submitted  to a vote of
shareholders,  except in the unusual circumstances of matters which would change
their  rights as  shareholders.  Preferred  stockholders  may not convert  their
shares to common stock. However, at its option, Handy's board may vote to redeem
these  shares in exchange for $100 per share and all accrued  unpaid  dividends.
Handy has no obligation  to redeem the preferred  stock or provide for a sinking
fund for the redemption of such shares.

     Handy does not  restrict  the  transfer of  preferred  stock.  However,  we
believe that member-dealers,  former member-dealers or member-dealer  affiliates
own all Handy preferred  stock. As of March 23, 1999,  there were 828 holders of
preferred stock.

                           SUMMARY OF DEALER CONTRACT

        Handy requires each  member-dealer  to enter into a dealer contract with
us.  Under the dealer  contract,  Handy agrees to sell  merchandise  and furnish
services to the  member-dealer  at Handy's cost,  plus freight costs and a small
mark-up.  Handy  sells the  merchandise  to each  member-dealer  f.o.b.  Handy's
warehouse.  Handy's trucks or common carrier deliver  merchandise at charges set
by Handy.  Handy also agrees to permit the  member-dealer  to use the trade name
"Handy  Hardware Store" and agrees to furnish signs, a general catalog and other
materials to the member-dealer for its operation as a Handy Hardware Store.

        Under the  contract,  the  member-dealer  agrees  to enter  into a stock
subscription  agreement to purchase Handy's securities.  In addition, the dealer
contract requires the member-dealer to pay an initial service charge,  currently
set at $200, to defray in part the costs of establishing their new account.  The
member-dealer  must maintain in confidence all materials  provided by Handy and,
upon termination of the dealer contract,  must return all materials furnished by
Handy. The member-dealer also agrees to order merchandise from Handy, to pay all
invoices  when due and to attend trade shows and other  member-dealer  meetings.
However,  the dealer contract does not impose on the  member-dealer  any minimum

                                       9


<PAGE>

inventory  purchase  amount  to  remain  a  member-dealer.  Either  Handy or the
member-dealer may cancel the dealer contract upon 60 days notice.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

        The  validity  of our  securities  offered in this  prospectus  has been
passed upon by Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional Corporation, Houston, Texas.


                                     EXPERTS

     The  financial  statements  of Handy  included in its 1998 Annual Report on
Form 10-K have been  examined by Clyde D. Thomas & Company,  independent  public
accountants,  as stated in their opinion  incorporated herein by reference.  The
financial  statements  referred to above are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance  upon  such  report  and upon  that  firm's  authority  as  experts  in
accounting and auditing.


                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Available Information

     Our SEC filings are  available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's
web site at http://www.sec.gov.  You may also read and copy any document we file
at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.  Washington,  D.C.
20549. You may obtain  information on the operation of the Public Reference Room
by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

     We have filed a registration statement with the SEC on Form S-2 to register
the  securities  offered in this  prospectus.  This  prospectus  is part of such
registration  statement.  As  allowed  by SEC rules,  this  prospectus  does not
contain all the information in the registration  statement or in the exhibits to
the registration statement.

Incorporation of Documents by Reference

     The SEC allows us to include information in this document by "incorporating
by reference," which means that we can disclose important  information to you by
referring to those documents.  Handy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998 that has been filed with the SEC is incorporated by
reference in this  prospectus,  along with any future  filings made with the SEC
under  Sections  13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange  Act. You may request a copy of
any  document  incorporated  by  reference in this  prospectus,  at no cost,  by
writing or telephoning us at our headquarters:

                            Handy Hardware Wholesale, Inc.
                            8300 Tewantin Drive
                            Houston, Texas 77061
                            (713) 644-1495


                                       10

<PAGE>



                                     PART II


Item 14.          Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

         The estimated offering expenses are:


SEC registration fee                        $      1,390
Printing expense                                     570
Legal fees and expenses                           12,000
Blue sky fees and expenses                         7,500
Accounting fees and expenses                       2,500
                                            ------------
TOTAL                                       $     23,960



Item 15.          Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Article  2.02-1 of the  Texas  Business  Corporation  Act  provides  that a
corporation  may  indemnify its  officers,  directors,  employees and agents for
expenses and costs incurred in certain  proceedings arising out of actions taken
in their official capacity only if such persons were acting in good faith and in
a manner  reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to the best  interests of
the  corporation,  except in  relation  to matters in which they have been found
liable to the corporation,  or on the basis that personal benefit was improperly
received  regardless of whether or not the benefit resulted from action taken in
their official capacity.  In the case of any criminal  proceeding,  such persons
must also have had no  reasonable  cause to believe such  conduct was  unlawful.
Article 2.02-1 further provides that a corporation  shall indemnify its officers
and  directors   against   reasonable   expenses  incurred  in  connection  with
proceedings  arising out of actions  taken in their  official  capacity in which
such persons have been wholly  successful,  on the merits or  otherwise,  in the
defense of such actions.




                                      II-1

<PAGE>

Item 16.          Exhibits.

     The  following  is a list of  exhibits  filed as part of this  registration
statement.

        Exhibit
        Number 
        -------
         4.1        Specimen  copy of  certificate  representing  Class A Common
                    Stock.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Annual Report
                    on Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,  1983,  and
                    incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.2        Specimen  copy of  certificate  representing  Class B Common
                    Stock.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Annual Report
                    on Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,  1983,  and
                    incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.3        Specimen copy of certificate  representing  preferred stock.
                    (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                    10-K for the year ended December 31, 1983, and  incorporated
                    herein by reference.)

         4.4        Form of Subscription to Shares of Handy Hardware  Wholesale,
                    Inc.  for  Class A Common  Stock,  Class B Common  Stock and
                    preferred stock.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to this Registration
                    Statement  as   originally   filed  on  May  5,  1994,   and
                    incorporated herein by reference.)

   (2)   5.1        Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional Corporation.

        10.1        Split-Dollar  Agreement  dated November 13, 1991 between the
                    Company and James D.  Tipton.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the
                    Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the year  ended
                    December 31, 1991, and incorporated herein by reference.)

        10.2        Form  of  Dealer  Contract  (Alabama,   Arkansas,   Florida,
                    Louisiana,  Oklahoma  and Texas).  (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to
                    this  Registration  Statement as originally  filed on May 5,
                    1994, and incorporated herein by reference.)

        10.3        Form of Dealer  Contract  (Mississippi).  (Filed as  Exhibit
                    10.8 to this  Registration  Statement as originally filed on
                    May 5, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.)

        10.4        Amendment and  Restatement of Credit  Agreement  dated April
                    30, 1996,  between  Texas  Commerce  Bank,  N.A.,  and Handy
                    Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.2 to the
                    Company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  quarter
                    ended  September  30,  1996,  and  incorporated   herein  by
                    reference.)
   
                                      II-2

<PAGE>

   (1)  10.5        Ninth  Amendment to the  Employment  Agreement,  as amended,
                    between Handy Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc. and James D. Tipton
                    dated  December  31,  1998.  (Filed as Exhibit  10.13 to the
                    Company's  Annual  report  on Form  10-K for the year  ended
                    December 31, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.)

        10.6        Second  Amendment to  Amendment  and  Restatement  of Credit
                    Agreement between Handy Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc. and Chase
                    Bank of Texas, National  Association,  dated April 30, 1998.
                    (Filed as Exhibit  10.15 to the  Company's  Annual Report on
                    Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1998,  and
                    incorporated herein by reference.)

        11.1        Statement re  computation of per share  earnings.  (Filed as
                    Exhibit 11.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                    the year ended December 31, 1998, and incorporated herein by
                    reference.)

        12.1        Statements  re  computation  of  ratios.   (Omitted  because
                    sufficiently  described in this Registration Statement under
                    "Ratio of Earnings to Combined  Fixed  Charges and Preferred
                    Stock Dividend Requirements" in the .)

        13.1        Annual  Report  to  Security   Holders.   (Incorporated   by
                    reference from the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
                    for the year ended  December  31, 1998 as  previously  filed
                    with the Commission.)

   (2)  23.1        Consent of Clyde D. Thomas & Company.

        23.2        Consent of Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional  Corporation.
                    (Contained in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto.)

   (2)  24.1        Powers of Attorney of Directors of the Registrant.

- -----------------------------
(1)      Management contract.
(2)      Filed herewith.


Item 17.          Undertakings.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                 (i) To include any prospectus  required by Section  10(a)(3) of
         the Securities Act of 1993, as amended (the "1933 Act");

                (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising
         after the  effective  date of the  Registration  Statement (or the most
         recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,  individually or in the
         aggregate,  represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
         in the Registration Statement; and


                                      II-3

<PAGE>

               (iii) To include any  material  information  with  respect to the
         plan of  distribution  not  previously  disclosed  in the  registration
         statement  or  any  material   change  to  such   information   in  the
         Registration Statement.

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under the 1933
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities  offered therein,  and the offering of such
securities  at that time shall be deemed to be the  initial  bona fide  offering
thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

         (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act,
each filing of the  Registrant's  annual  report  pursuant  to section  13(a) or
section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended (the "1934
Act") (and, where  applicable,  each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report  pursuant  to  section  15(d) of the 1934  Act) that is  incorporated  by
reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration
Statement relating to the securities  offered therein,  and the offering of such
securities  at that time shall be deemed to be the  initial  bona fide  offering
thereof.

         (5) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus or prior to
delivery of the  prospectus,  to each person to whom the  prospectus  is sent or
given,  the latest annual  report to security  holders that is  incorporated  by
reference  in  the  prospectus  and  furnished   pursuant  to  and  meeting  the
requirement  of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the 1934 Act; and,  where interim
financial  information required to be present by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are
not set forth in the  prospectus,  to deliver or cause to be  delivered  to each
person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,  the latest  quarterly report on
Form 10-Q that is  specifically  incorporated  by reference in the prospectus to
provide such interim financial information.


                                      II-4

<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant,
Handy Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc.,  certifies  that it has reasonable  grounds to
believe  that it meets all of the  requirements  for  filing on Form S-2 and has
duly  caused  this  registration  statement  to be signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Houston, State of Texas on
April 26, 1999.


                                     HANDY HARDWARE WHOLESALE, INC.



                                     /s/ James D. Tipton
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     James D. Tipton
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer


     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration  statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                         Title                               Date
- ---------                         -----                               ----
<S>                           <C>                                <C>

/s/ James D. Tipton           President, Chief Executive         April 26, 1999
- -------------------           Officer and Director
James D. Tipton

/s/ Tina S. Kirbie            Chief Financial and                April 26, 1999
- -------------------           Accounting Officer
Tina S. Kirbie

/s/ Weldon D. Bailey          Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Weldon D. Bailey

/s/ Norman J. Bering, II      Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Norman J. Bering, II

/s/ Susie Bracht-Black        Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Susie Bracht-Black

/s/ Virgil H. Cox             Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Virgil H. Cox
<PAGE>

/s/ Samuel J. Dyson           Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Samuel J. Dyson

/s/ Robert L. Eilers          Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Robert L. Eilers

/s/ Richard A. Lubke          Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Richard A. Lubke

/s/ Jimmy T. Pate             Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Jimmy T. Pate

/s/ Leroy Wellborn            Director                           April 26, 1999
- -------------------
Leroy Wellborn
</TABLE>


                                   EXHIBIT 5.1


           Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional Corporation

<PAGE>
                                 April 26, 1999


Handy Hardware Wholesale, Inc.
8300 Tewantin Drive
Houston, Texas 77061

     Re:  Opinion  as to  legality  of  certain  securities  of  Handy  Hardware
          Wholesale, Inc.

Gentlemen:

     We have  acted  as  counsel  to Handy  Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc.,  a Texas
corporation (the "Company"),  in connection with the filing under the Securities
Act  of  1933  of a  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-2  (the  "Registration
Statement")  covering  5,000 shares of Class A Common  Stock,  20,000  shares of
Class B Common Stock,  and 25,000 shares of Preferred Stock  (collectively,  the
"Shares").  The terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares are described
in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

     We have  examined  (i) the  Registration  Statement,  (ii) the  Articles of
Incorporation  of  the  Company,  as  amended,  and  the  bylaws  and  corporate
proceedings of the Company,  and (iii) such other records,  documents,  opinions
and  instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to
render this opinion.  We have made such legal and factual  determinations  as we
have deemed relevant.

     Based upon the foregoing,  and having regard for such legal  considerations
as we deem relevant,  we are of the opinion that the Shares are duly authorized,
and when  issued  to and paid for by the  purchasers  thereof,  will be  validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable securities of the Company.

     We hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the
Registration Statement and to reference being made to our firm in the Prospectus
contained  therein.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       JENKENS & GILCHRIST,
                                       a Professional Corporation



                                       By: /s/ Donald W. Brodsky
                                           ---------------------
                                           Donald W. Brodsky
                                           Authorized Signatory
BCC/at



                                  Exhibit 23.1


                      Consent of Clyde D. Thomas & Company



<PAGE>




                     CONSENT OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     We consent to the  incorporation by reference herein of our report included
in Handy  Hardware  Wholesale,  Inc.'s  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended  December  31,  1998,  and the  reference  to our firm  under the  heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus.




                                          /s/ Clyde D. Thomas
                                          -------------------------------
                                          CLYDE D. THOMAS & COMPANY
                                          Certified Public Accountants


April 26, 1999
Pasadena, Texas



                                  Exhibit 24.1

                               Powers of Attorney

<PAGE>

                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Weldon D. Bailey
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Weldon D. Bailey



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Norman J. Bering, II
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Norman J. Bering, II



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Susie Bracht-Black
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Susie Bracht-Black



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Virgil H. Cox
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Virgil H. Cox



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Samuel J. Dyson
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Samuel J. Dyson



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Robert L. Eilers
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Robert L. Eilers



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Richard Lubke
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Richard Lubke



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Jimmy Pate
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Jimmy Pate



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


                               Powers of Attorney

     Each person whose signature  appears below hereby  constitutes and appoints
James  D.  Tipton  with  full  power  to  act as his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities,  to  sign  any or all  amendments  to  this  Registration  Statement
(including  post-effective  amendments),  and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power
and  authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in  connection  therewith,  as  fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person hereby  ratifying and confirming that
said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                                        /s/ Leroy Wellborn
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Leroy Wellborn



  Date:          
       ------------------------
<PAGE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission