Columnists, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
11:36 am Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Homefolks U.S.A.

Hi folks,

It’s so good to see people in a buying mood, and that is beginning to happen in our part of the country.

The past few weeks, more people are beginning to shop for that merchandise they have been thinking about for quite some time. Thanks always for including our business when the buying mood strikes.

So much change is taking place downtown, and I sure hope it’s better for all. It’s a little sad to see some of our old buildings being torn down, but maybe that is a sign of progress. The old Pickett Machine Shop was leveled to the ground last week. I have so many great memories of the years when Bruce and his crew were doing welding in that old building.

M.S. Industries has been doing a lot of remodeling on the old First National Bank building on main street. At one time that building housed Felton Hardware, and V.J. Elmore’s 5-10 store was just a few doors down. I doubt if there is a 5-10 store in existence anywhere now. The big box stores have done away with a lot of the small businesses.

I am thankful that I have good memories of Elmore’s and White’s 5-10 stores. In my collection of old memorabilia, I still have two cash registers from White’s and a beautiful old desk from Elmore’s. I also possess two bar stools from Kent’s Café, a Remington Gun sign from Felton’s Hardware, a sales book from Clark’s Department Store, several shoe signs from Jack Bowen Shoe Shop and a peanut machine and a pie display from the Speedy Pig Restaurant.

A group of pictures show the old Russellville Coke Plant, and I have another set of pictures from Richardson Lumber Company, later to be Hargett Lumber Company. All of these pictures are in custom-built cedar frames.

All of this merchandise is for sale. I want to let someone else enjoy this merchandise from long ago. Many of these items would make excellent gifts for that person who has about everything.

In the past few weeks I have made a mental note of folks giving directions for merchandise that was to be delivered. One person said, “Turn left at Gene Myrick’s Store.” Another asked, “Remember where the Duboise Monument was located?” Another said “turn left at Leon Taylor’s old store.” A lot of people would have no idea of what they were referring to, but for me it brought back a lot of memories. Good memories.

Til next time,

Your friend,

Bobby

Thought for the Day

Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.

Also on Franklin County Times
Rural hospitals face challenges: New state tax credit could help
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County’s two hospitals face the same financial pressures confronting rural health care across Alabama even as they remain esse...
Phil Campbell gets ‘clean opinion’ on audit
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Certified public accountant Don Wallace told town council members on Jan. 20 there were no problems with this year’s audit. “This is w...
MLK’s legacy: Blueprint we must follow
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rev. Bennie “B.J.” Bonner stood before an audience gathered Jan. 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration March and described ho...
Elementary students begin Super Citizen program
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
Second and third graders from West Elementary and Russellville Elementary began Liberty Learning Foundation’s Super Citizen program during an event ki...
Book Lovers Study Club explores tea’s role in history
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 28, 2026
Our Book Lovers Study Club’s January meeting highlighted both the Boston Tea Party boycott of English tea and the traditions of afternoon tea. One of ...
Moving from excuses to action in 1 year
Columnists, Opinion
January 28, 2026
In just 12 months, the Trump administration has delivered real results that Americans can see in their daily lives by restoring law and order at our b...
Higgins hired as RHS football coach
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Darrell Higgins has been hired as the new head football coach at Russellville High School. His hiring was announced Saturday following ...
Seal retires from CB&S after 31 years
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Following a 31-year career at CB&S Bank, Beverly Seal is now retired and looking forward to what comes next. While she’s still explorin...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *