Here is an old, early 60’s photo given to me courtesy of my cousin John (JW) Raley. Thank you John.
Shown here are his younger brother Jay and sister Ginny with their Grandfather Mr. Mueller at the counter as Buzzy waits on them. Obviously Granddad had let Jay get an ice cream and Ginny looks like she is about to open a treat too.
In addition to the people in the picture, a couple other things I noticed about the photo: first, the old wooden counter. Ironically, it was JW who updated that in the 80’s with the formica one that is there today.
Second, note how all the shelves behind Buzzy are stocked with can goods and food items such as Spam. Sure looks like he sold a lot of it. Remember when Spam was something you ate and not something that arrives in your email?!
It wasn’t until the late 60’s early 70’s that Buzzy switched over from stocking mostly foodstuffs to booze on those shelves. (This also explains why his roadside sign advertised “Cold Beer” only because he did not really start stocking and selling hard liquor until the mid to late 60’s.)
Also note in the photo how there was a top shelf back then with goods on it. That area now contains the heating and cooling vent which was subsequently installed. The old furnace was under the store and you can see the return vent for it in this pic. Also, in the upper right portion of the photo there is a duct pipe running from the old chimney back into the living quarters where we lived.
The other item that made me smile was the old “It’s Nice to Be Important But More Important to be Nice” sign below the duct pipe. I don’t know where that went but I may have to resurrect and re-install it given the times that we live in now.
Speaking of nice, aren’t the best people in your life the ones who can always make you smile?