The Kroger store in a neighboring town is closing after 52 years in business. While it’s not the nicest store you’ll ever see, many of us have been going there for as long as we can remember.
When I was small, my mother would put me in her shopping cart and go straight to the Little Golden Book display. I would choose a book to look at while she shopped, never fussing or demanding things – just happily “reading” my book while waiting to go home and read it together.
I had quite the collection of these classic storybooks, thanks to this routine, and quickly developed a love for reading and collecting!
This store is important to Wellston and I imagine that a lot of folks will find life more difficult when it’s gone. If you’re older or have mobility issues, navigating superstores like Walmart or even the larger grocery stores is exhausting.
The footprint of this store is quite small and just the right size for those who struggle in the big ones.
It hasn’t been remodeled in years and little has changed here. The Little Golden Book display is gone and so is the bottle return (bonus points if you remember returning your glass bottles to the store!) but it’s otherwise very similar to the store of my childhood.
There’s also no self checkout to take the place of the friendly cashiers and baggers. That may be the part I will miss the most – the people and the unwavering personal service they provide.
I’m sure the Kroger Company considered this location a nuisance because they really couldn’t adapt this location to their clicklist/self checkout model of discouraging customers to come in and shop.
Just the same, I’m sad to see it go.
What stores do you miss from your childhood?
When I travel I always like to check out the local grocery store. I’m usually replenishing supplies – normally fresh fruit or bottled water – so I have an excuse to cruise through.
Make the Journey Fun 