Buchanan's Store; Established April 13, 1878

This is what you see when you arrive at Buchanan's Store.  I enjoy photographing these old,
historical places as a way of preserving history.  One day these stores will all be gone and replaced
by corporate convenience stores. All images were made using an OM-1 Mark II and OM 8-25mm f/4 Pro lens. ISOs ranged from 200 to 12,800. (click to enlarge)

A few weeks ago, I happened to catch a short story shown by the North Carolina Public Broadcasting System on an old country store located in north central North Carolina.  Manson, North Carolina to be exact.  Buchanan's Store (pronounced buck hannan) is located at a crossroads far out in the country among farms and fields.  Nothing else around it.  No other stores.  No houses.  Just woodland and farm fields.  

Once I saw the video I knew I had to find the location and take a day trip to visit the store.  That is what my wife and I recently did.  You can view the video here.

I wasn't thrilled by the modern sign and steel pole seen in the photo above. That just went against my
vision of the place. With a little editing magic, this is how I would have preferred the store to look.
I removed the sign, pole, wires and shadow from a vehicle parked to the left just out of the photo.
(click to enlarge)

The day was hot and sunny.  Too hot for the middle of October but a nice day for a road trip.  We left home for the ~120 mile drive at a time so that we arrived just before lunch (dinner as they still say in many places in the South) as we knew Buchanan's had a small grille with sandwiches available.  We wanted to partake of their unique food offerings such as a fried balogna and cheese sandwich. (We didn't order that.)

Upon arriving, we were greeted by the scene you see at the top of this post.  The place has so much character.  I made a few exposures before going in just to ensure I had a photo or two without any pickup trucks or automobiles parked directly in front of the store.

We met the owner, Jamie Reese, his brother, his mother Jan Reese (who was operating the cash register that day) and his father.  The entire family was as friendly, welcoming and nice as can be imagined.  What a delight to meet and talk with them.  Interestingly enough, in my casual observations of the customers who came and went, all of them were just as friendly and open as could be.

Supposedly, the phrase above the door, "If we don't have it, you don't
need it," was originated with the founder of the store. You have to
wonder how many people have walked through those old wooden doors.
(click to enlarge)

The floors are original. Lots of creaking. Penny candy, anyone?  (click to enlarge)

Jan Reese, Jamie Reese's mother, was kind enough to pose for me as I made
some photographs. I didn’t ask Jan her age (a gentleman would never ask a lady) but
her  husband  did mention that they had been married 52 years so you can estimate.
The point is that Jan’s mother worked at the store for decades when Jan was
growing up. That was more than 60 years ago, I would guess. (click to enlarge)

There are only a few isles but they carry a little of everything the local farmers may need.  Some
touristy stuff as well, of course! (click to enlarge)

The one modern aspect I saw was the electronic cash register and credit card machine.  But, in 
today's business world, those devices are needed. While we were there, about 30 minutes or so, I
would estimate 25 people arrived, bought goods or had food prepared, then were on their way. In
the parking lot in front of the store, I noticed a pickup truck with a Montana license plate. I didn't 
get to ask how and why the owner was there but I bet the story would have been interesting.
(click to enlarge)

I remember these candy cigarettes being sold when I was a kid.  I have not seen them since. I'm
very surprised to see them here.  But, then again, this is North Carolina, the heart of tobacco
country. Still. (click to enlarge)

How about some pig skin fried in pure port fat!  For you Keto dieters, there are no carbs!  Lol.
These are extra special as they are BBQ flavored.  Personally, I'll pass. (click to enlarge)

Candy.  Lots of sugar, little nutrition.  Always tasty!  LOL (click to enlarge)

Any time I hear of or get an opportunity to visit one of these stores, I try to go.  It won't be long before they are gone.  I would like my grandchildren and great-grandchildren at least to be aware of the cultural history of this country; how things were and how we arrived in history to today.

Our visit was a joy.  The people we met, the ambiance of the place, the down-home feeling, the throwback to yesteryear, all, just left the two of us with a wonderful feeling as to how life was and how many still live their lives independent of the vitriol, hatred, political assissinations and bad news that we are inundated with every day.

Oh!  I almost forgot.  We both had a cheeseburger with chili and cole slaw.  Delicious!

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com .

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!

Dennis A. Mook

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