I did manage to talk to Chuck Hayward owner of Pritchett’s Grocery Store over in Dorchester County (yesterday’s post.) Chuck is the grandson of Clarence Pritchett who started the store in 1946.
As we discussed what it’s like to be among the last owners of a country store, Chuck mentioned that Pritchett’s was one of several old country stores that used to be open in their area. (Kind of like me recalling how our Ridge/Scotland area at one time had stores like Yost’s, Guy’s, Greenwell’s, Raley’s, Hewlitt’s and Buzzy’s all operating and serving the community.)
Chuck noted that while he is not making any money from the store he wants to try and keep it going as long as he can do so in honor of his family’s legacy. I told him that I could relate to those sentiments and asked why he did not sell alcohol. He said it had to do with his grandfather being a good Methodist church goer who did not care for anything having to to do with drinking and gambling.
I asked Chuck about another old store that I came across in my internet travels – Thomas Jones’ Market. He told me that it was just up the road from him but had been closed for several years. I found this description and photo of it: (click here.)
Good conversation and I concluded by telling Chuck what folks often tell me “If I’m ever down that way I’ll stop in for a visit.” He laughed and said something along the lines “Look forward to seeing you.”
Music-wise here is a nice video of Marc Cohen talking about how he wrote this song and the overall transformational power of music. And as I celebrate another birthday today, I appreciate more than ever anything that involves transformational power whether it be from music, alcohol or whatever it is that gets your motor running. Maybe it’s even a pretty little thing waiting for the king down in the jungle room (5:25 mark.)