Grocery Boy Jr.

The Grocery Boy Jr. is a store on the main parkway in my town. I’ve driven past it at least once every day for the 6 years we’ve lived in this area, but I’ve never been inside it. It’s the size of and has the look of an old convenience store, with a couple or four gas pumps at the side, but its name suggests a more interesting business —something with a local history.

It’s a rather bland building, but that’s how a lot of old mom-and-pop businesses look. It was probably built in the 70s, and I doubt it makes enough money for real renovation or a cosmetic upgrade. I always imagined the stored as owned by an older couple, with their adult son managing the day to day operations. The “Jr.” in the name says that it’s at least the second such store in the family’s chain, but I’ve never seen the original Grocery Boy. Maybe it was in a bad location and eventually closed, or maybe it was in a great location and sold out to a bigger business.

My imagination has really built up the history and significance of the store. I knew the inside must be full of fresh farmer’s market produce—maybe some ripe strawberries, corn still in the shuck, and bright red tomatoes. Probably also a small selection of various grocery store type goods, too. Some stuff that people could walk to this store and pick up without having to drive all the way to a big grocery store—cereal, bread, and cheese.

Although, in this town, there’s a grocery store within a couple miles of any home, the Grocery Boy Jr. was here first, and served the neighborhood well before the big stores arrived. So I resolved to actually go in the store one day. Once I made the resolution, it still took a few days to stop in.

My imagination was much better than the reality. It’s a convenience store. Just like the Amoco and BP stations down the street. It sells the same packaged snacks, soft drinks, lottery tickets, and beer as every other gas station/convenience store. How sadly disappointing and boring. Although, it does sell porn magazines. Good thing I didn’t have the kids with me when I dropped in. But that situation probably would have made for a more interesting post today.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com