I saw the old country store on my right, as I drove by it on Route 100, just south of Barren Springs, Virginia, in Wythe County. I turned right on a narrow, single lane gravel road hoping it would take me to the store, rather than having to turn around. In a minute, or so, I was in front of Carpenter’s Grocery, and Sam Carpenter, who has owned the business since the early 1970s, was sitting in a padded chair on the porch. A fawn pug was taking a nap at his feet. I walked up the weather worn steps that had seen countless traffic over the years. Mr. Carpenter introduced himself and asked me to have a seat in a chair beside him. A country gentleman sitting in a chair on the other side of the porch told me it was Sam’s 90th birthday. I wished him a happy birthday and asked him if I could get his picture and a few shots of the store.
My wife, Debra, walked up and suggested that she get a picture of us both. I handed her my Leica, and she snapped a picture, while we were discussing how so many things were better in the old days. After a while. I got up and wandered into the store. I flicked on a set of light switches on my left, when I walked in the door. Suddenly, a country store from a time gone by became visible. The products were modern, of course: potato chips, sodas, various snacks, and beer in a cooler in the back. There was an old fashioned meat cooler and butcher scales. A wood, or coal burning stove was at the back of the store, with several chairs nestled around it. A wanted poster of Jesse James was framed, and said to be the real deal.
And pugs, there were pugs wherever you looked. One novelty sign noted, “Warning! Overly Affectionate Pug on Duty.” There were ceramic pug figurines, photos, and even a wood burned plaque showing a pug. Daisy, our pug, was in the truck, and my wife decided to get her and introduce her to Mr. Carpenter’s dog. Daisy walked up, checked out the fawn pug and both decided that they would rather be napping.
After a conversation about pugs, we sat and talked mainly about the past, and how many things were better in days gone by. Mr. Carpenter, an ex-coal miner, explained that coal dug and carried out from from deep shafts, is of a higher quality and burns better than coal from strip mines. He also mentioned that he didn’t care for electric cars and recounted that a someone in the area had bought one and had to rid of it because it wasn’t what they expected. He noted that the coal mining jobs are gone, and the world is changing, and not necessarily for the better
The store, over its 200 year history had served its community as a general store, mine company store, post office, and doctor’s office, among other callings. I got up from my chair on the porch, again wished Mr Carpenter a happy 90th birthday, snapped a few more pictures, and got back on the road. I hope to visit again, soon.
Absolutely amazing!!! Thank you for taking the time to document this for posterity and for sharing it!! Wish I could travel to see these old places of long ago and far away before they are all gone!
Thanks, Julie!
This reminds me so much of the many old country stores we used to see up here in WV. Back in the 70’s I hauled gasoline, diesel and kerosene to many of these little “Mom & Pop” country stores. They are all gone now and will always be missed by the local folks who depended on them for much of everything they needed. Thank you for posting your story and pictures of part of our past that is gone forever.
Thanks, James.
What a fun story & great pictures. I would have liked to have heard more of his story.
Thanks. I would like to heart more of his story, too. The “interview” was unplanned, and as we were on our way elsewhere, and had a few minutes I stopped to snap a quick picture of the store. I’m glad to have met Mr. Carpenter and have him share what he did on his birthday. No doubt. I’ll be back in the future.
Thank you for documenting our history that is quickly disappearing. A wonderful article Bob.
Thanks, Lynne.
How wonderful….. Do you have a fb page or how do I follow you ?
Thanks. You can follow DrivingBackRoads on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DrivingBackroads/
He makes best pickle eggs too. I live near this store well in barren springs. He awesome and a very nice man.
Thanks. I enjoyed the visit very much. Everyone that I’ve talked with who knows him, speaks highly of him.
This story and pictures made my morning,I grew up with a small country store and miss those days so much.I would love to take a drive and see this place in the near future,Thank You so much for sharing
This was my grandfather’s store. He ran it before Samo. My dad and I visited it yesterday. I hope it and Samo stay around for a long time.
Jennifer, I hope so, too.
I am so glad I came across your photo’s on Facebook. I just sit back and . remember back about the time period I grew up in. Boy what a wonderful time it was.
Thank you,
Bob R
Thanks, Bob. There’s a lot of great things to remember from the past. They just seem to be disappearing way too fast. Maybe, these photos will help us keep those memories alive.
Glad to see my Uncle’s store all the way out here in California.
Wow! I think this is the same store when I was a little girl living with my grand parents over in Patterson (Barren Springs, VA). A man by the last name of Dalton used to run it. My grandfather, Wm. Miller used to work some for him. What a great memory! Thanks, Brenda