SHARON MYERS, The Dispatch of Lexington

 

LEXINGTON (AP) — In today’s fast-paced world of online shopping and mega supermarkets, there are still those small country stores that are a throwback to the old days of the neighborhood family-owned businesses.

David Michael, who owns Michael’s Grocery and Tackle on N.C. Highway 47 at Old Mountain Road, said he doesn’t try to compete with the bigger stores but depends mostly on repeat customers who have been stopping by on their way to High Rock Lake for years. His father, Robert Michael, opened the store at that location in 1982, and it has been family owned since that time.

“Back in the ’80s before Walmart came, you could have less mark-up and make more money. Now things are a little more competitive.” Michael said. “We’re still hanging in there. You try to buy as cheap as you can and keep a decent price. We have a lot of good people in the neighborhood who are like family. Sometimes they just stop in to say hello.”

Michael said even though times are changing, he still tries to do those little things that make a difference between a neighborhood store and a corporate conglomerate.

“We will still pump gas for the little old ladies when we can,” Michael said. “We still have the little brown paper bags for the kids to put their candy in, although penny candy is now a dime. Times have changed, but we still have good repeat customers. I enjoy just talking with them and treat people as nice as I can.”

Josh Lord, owner of Mason General Store on Horseshoe Neck Road, said community support makes all the difference for a successful small business. He tries to return the favor as much as possible.

“I try to buy from local farms, and it helps,” Lord said. “The community likes to buy things where they know where it’s coming from. We don’t try to market ourselves as competition for these bigger stores, but on a lot of things we are cheaper than them. I don’t believe in overpricing just for the convenience factor.”

Lord said his store is a step back in time to the general store from previous eras, complete with the “usual crowd” who show up on a daily basis. He said owning a country store is a way of living, and it is one that he enjoys.

“We are a throwback to the old days,” Lord said. “We have our group of guys who still come and sit down to talk for hours. You have to embrace a certain lifestyle and have a realistic expectation about what this business is about. We could easily raise our prices, but what is the cost to losing customers? We look at what we pay and price it enough to keep the doors open. You don’t get rich doing this, but it’s a good way of life.”

Louise Gordon, who owns the Gordon Rex on Johnsontown Road in Thomasville, said when customers support independently owned stores, they are keeping local citizens in business.

“I thank God for our regular customers and the neighborhood business,” Gordon said. “They want to support us instead of going down the road to the Walmart. I try to build a relationship with our customers. I love talking and meeting new people. It’s that one-on-one service that makes a difference. You get to know a customer’s habits and preferences.”

Gordon said it is difficult being an owner of a small store, especially when the bigger stores move into the neighborhood. She believes local government should give small businesses the same breaks as these bigger chain stores. Gordon said she has to use that personal touch to keep the customers happy.

“It is very hard to compete,” Gordon said. “I don’t make as much as I did before the Walmart came. I used to run two registers, but now I’m down to one. I think the government should try to help these independent businesses more than these bigger places. These convenience stores, banks and retail stores are what small towns like Thomasville needs. These are your neighbors and friends who own these stores. We need your support, so y’all come back now.”