Posted By: by Glynn Dowdle, Buffalo River Review
Description: Years ago the Bend of the River Community in the Southwest corner of Perry County was a thriving area. And in a few weeks the core of that once-busy community, Grady and Eula grocery and dry goods store will close its doors.
The Broadways have operated the store since March of 1944 when they bought the stock from Frank Warren for $650. ”I paid $6 a month rent for the building in 1944” stated Grady.… ”After the old man died, his widow went up on the rent. I had to pay $9 then.” In 1954 the Broadways bought the store and adjoining farm.
The store, a rambling, two story, wood frame building, sits almost in the middle of the road. It is reminiscent of a past time. The number of initials carved on the side of the building gives some indication of how long the store has been part of the Bend of the River Community.
The Broadways aren’t exactly sure about how far back the store dates, but the date ”November 1896” is written on the flue at the rear of. According to Grady, a post office was located in the store around the turn of the century, but by 1944 the community was on a rural route. The partitions which blocked off the post office and the clerks cage are standing as they did many years ago. There is a slot where mail was deposited from the outside after hours.
The store has always been the center of activity. Broadway said the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star met at the store years ago, and ”We used to have elections here, but they moved our box to ”White Oak”.
According to Grady, most of the people were forced to move out to find work. ”Many of the people moved out when TVA flooded the area. Used to be if you had a mule and could rent a few acres of land you could get by, but you can’t do that today.
Even there isn’t a lot of activity now in Grady Broadway’s store, a group of six to ten men meet every Wednesday night to play dominoes. ”I turn it over to my son-in-law,” Broadway stated. ”and I go to bed”. Eula reported that every Christmas they have a domino tournament and the winner is treated to a big ham supper.
About the biggest change that has taken place in the last 33 years is the increase in prices. Grady remembers the time when a case of cokes, (24 bottles) cost him eighty cents, he sold them for five cents each. Now they cost me $3.05 a case and I sell them for twenty cents.
The Broadways aren’t really looking forward to closing the store and Grady said ”I’ll miss it I know…I”ve been used to people coming and setting around talking to me.”
Mr. Broadway says he has no plans to sell the store, but I’ll use it to store junk in I suppose.”
In a few weeks Grady and Eula will close their doors to business, and another chapter in the life of the Bend of the River Community will come to an end. September 08, 1977