Green's Grocery & Service Station
Green’s Grocery and Service Station, Hwy. 411 north of Benton in the building currently housing the Quilt Shop, served the community from 1953-1978. Many in the area remember coming to buy gas (in the days before self serve), penny candy, bottled drinks, bologna and cheese. Mr. Green kept candy on a rack just inside the door on the bottom shelf so the kids wouldn’t climb and tear up his shelves. Some young ones sat on the floor and ate penny candy while their parents shopped. Mrs. Green sliced bologna, cheese and ham – those were the days before packaged foods.
On Christmas, he put together a Christmas bag for the churches, with apples, oranges, nuts and candy. On the 4th of July he sold fireworks. Many times he said jokingly that someday bread would be a dollar a loaf; he would be amazed at the grocery prices now. Mr. Green ran a small credit for families who needed to buy groceries one week and pay the next. He was open seven days a week from 7-11 or later if anyone wanted to stay and talk. He was known to everyone as “Rat” Green; he even received mail and checks to Rat Green.
Rat Green died in 1970. Anna Ruth Green will be 95 on her birthday, May 25. Anyone wishing to send a card can do so at 7272 Hwy. 411, Benton TN 37307.
Related Articles
Print
E-mail
Gallery 1
