How many businesses that were in Bradford in 1892 still have their doors open?

Taylor Roofing is among the few.

Coincidentally, the company is celebrating its 125th anniversary the same year that the next generation of Taylors have taken on the business. As of Jan. 1, brothers Shawn and Nick Taylor have accepted the family legacy from their father, David “Mouse” Taylor.

“Being one of the oldest businesses in town, it makes me proud to carry on that tradition, that story,” said Shawn Taylor.

He is proud to be a business owner — and be an employer — in the local community, as well as “to be able to drive around and see all the roofs you have done.”

Nick Taylor added, “I can’t go half a mile without seeing a roof I’ve done.”

Their work can be seen on rooftops all over town, including Zippo Manufacturing Co., Bradford Area High School, KOA Speer and the wastewater treatment plant — “pretty much all the infrastructure in town,” Nick Taylor explained.

Taylor Roofing had been located at 53 W. Washington St., but the McKean County Redevelopment & Housing Authority purchased the land when the plans were formed to build the current Bradford Area Public Library.

A new building was built across the street at 44 W. Washington St., where Taylor Roofing remains today.

So far, the business has always been passed from father to son, according to the family.

They related how the business was passed down, starting with Henry Taylor, who opened it. Back then, the business also did gutters, siding and sheet metal, in addition to roofing.

It was passed along to his sons, Arthur and Harry Taylor, who in turn passed it to the next generation: Jack and Arthur Taylor. The next owners were brothers Mike and Mouse Taylor, and Mouse Taylor is now passing it along to his sons, the fifth generation.

“On average, each owner has owned Taylor Roofing for 31 years,” said Nick Taylor.

Over the years, the scope of the business has been pared down so it specializes in roofing, such as asphalt shingles, flat rubber and single-ply roofing.

“I enjoy the fact that we specialize in roofing,” said Shawn Taylor, who explained it allows them to focus their energy.

They take their work seriously, too.

“There hasn’t been a day when there hasn’t been a Taylor on every job,” said Shawn Taylor.

The business is licensed, insured and does everything by the books, the family explained. They provide free estimates, too.

“We pride ourselves on our good service,” Shawn Taylor added.

Nick and Shawn Taylor each have many years of roofing under their belts. This will be Nick Taylor’s 15th year working full-time for Taylor Roofing, but he worked part-time for three years before that as a student. This is Shawn Taylor’s 13th year.

While their lives have led them to the same profession, their journeys were different.

For Shawn Taylor, he was unsure at first about going into the family business. In contrast, Nick Taylor said, “I knew exactly where I was going after high school. It was through that door,” he said, motioning to the roofing company entrance.

The pair have been working as foremen on jobs for some time, but in the last three months they’ve learned quite a bit about the business end of owning a company.

Now, “We want to get some ownership experience under our belts,” said Shawn Taylor. “It’s a hard business. You’ve got to work really hard every day to make it work.”

Mouse Taylor, who has more than 30 years of experience at the business, plans to stay with the company for awhile to offer guidance to his sons.

Watching his sons take over is a “great feeling,” he said. “I’m very proud. It’s been a nice journey getting to this point.”

The business has changed somewhat over the years. Mouse Taylor said one of the biggest changes he’s experienced are new safety expectations.

Shawn Taylor noted the technology and equipment have changed, too, saying the materials are “getting better” and “lasting longer.”

“It’s getting more complex, too,” said Nick Taylor.

One thing has remained the same over the last 125 years: Taylor Roofing has remained a small, local business.

As Shawn Taylor explained, “We provide a personal touch to the community.”