In Patrick County, VA south of Woolwine on Rt. 8, there sits an old store by the side of the road. It's a large complex that includes another smaller structure to the south of the main building, and possibly a mechanics shop building in the back. The owners house and barns are behind and to the north of the main building. At one time, gasoline pumps were added, and a stand-alone shelter canopy was built out in front of the main building for the convenience of the customers.
The place was opened a long time ago, possibly before automobiles were around. and has been closed many years. Luckily, this is one place that still gets a little care, and hasn't been vandalized.
When you look at it today, one can see the fore runner of the modern shopping center, with the general store dealing in groceries, household goods, and hardware, with room for a meeting hall, and the Post Office. Then the outer building could have been a millinery store. And there is the place in back that was most likely a repair shop beginning in the horse and buggy era, and continuing into the automobile age. There may have even been a bus stop established here in the thirties.
The main building still has it's charm, with the large shelving racks along the walls of the main room, a big pot-belly stove for heating, and the drinking fountain out front that shines with it's heavy chrome catch bowl. The bench on the porch still invites old codgers to sit a spell, and keep up on all the doings in the county.
But time and Mother Nature are transpiring to do with these buildings what they do with everything, recycle them to the earth. It odd though, that the newest structure, being the gasoline pump canopy, is also the one in most dis-repair. They just don't build 'em like they used to.
I. M. Akers General Merchandise by br1078phot, on Flickr
For all seventeen photos, go to https://flic.kr/s/aHsk7o5jfe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
PF
Lonely Mercantile
- PFMcFarland
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Re: Lonely Mercantile
I enjoyed the series, Phil (and your narrative, too).
--- James
--- James
James McKearney
Re: Lonely Mercantile
Nice series on an excellent subject, and thanks for the narrative! I like the interior shot with the shadows, including the photographer's.
Re: Lonely Mercantile
Outstanding. There was a place like that in a small dead town in Arizona that was the only open business for 50 miles around.
If we all saw the world the same no one would need a camera.
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