The locals know it as the Grocery Barn, the gas station, grocery and grill sitting on the corner of Highway 13 in Sampson County.

But Altman's Grocery Barn and Grill has a long history, with roots in Sampson, Cumberland and Harnett counties.

“I knew nothing different growing up. I put up stock, bagged, swept floors,” said co-owner Ruthie Jackson. “My sister and I both, and she’s four years younger. I’d have to say it helped define my work ethic.”

The Grocery Barn was revitalized in 2001, adding to the grocery and gas station, a grill that has now served the community for over 20 years.

“Our business at this point is more grill, gas and then grocery,” she said. “But people have said that our chicken salad is the best they’ve ever eaten."

Recently featured on WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler, Altman's Grocery Barn has undergone a few location and name changes.

"We've increased our employee base from five to 20, and added the grill itself," said Jackson. "It's a nice feeling, being part of the community, and there are a lot of caring people."

In the early 1800s, the first Jacksons lived here, with the center point of the property being the intersection at Highway 13 and Wrench/Tew Road.

Their children opened the first general store on the property out of the front of their house.

Ultimately, it ended up with Herman Jackson, a third- generation family member who moved the store to a stand-alone building across the road from the house.

Some of you might recognize the namesake of our substation located directly across the street from the store.

As a community gathering place, the store sold gas, oil, groceries, candy, soft drinks, dry goods and hardware. It wasn't unusual to find people hanging out at the store after dark as well.

Herman's daughter, Ruth, married Lewis Altman, whose family also had a few stores.

The Grocery Barn name came to be under the Altman's ownership.

"My parents ran the Grocery Barn at Sills Crossroads, it was red and shaped like a barn," said Ruthie Jackson.

The family ultimately decided to close up all of the other stores, and moved the Grocery Barn back to its current location on Hwy. 13.

Sisters Laurie Jackson (left) and Ruthie Jackson

In the following years, the Altman's two children, Ruthie and Laurie, worked in the store, before going on into their own careers.

However, the sisters decided that when it became too much for their mom, the women and their spouses would manage the Grocery Barn.

"You know, it never occurred to me that we would be back, I was perfectly happy to do what I was doing, but dad had died suddenly," said Ruthie Jackson, "It was too much for mom and it made sense to move to the store, as my mother-in-law was sick as well."

So, in 1995, Laurie and Don Jackson, and Ruthie and Bruce Jackson, bought the Grocery Barn.

In 2001, the original Grocery Barn was torn down and rebuilt.

"I had mixed emotions, we knew we needed to do something as the building frame was worn out and we wanted to add food service, so we decided to go ahead and build a new building with grill," she said. "We cried, there were a lot of memories, but we are very happy with the result and our service to the community."

Carrying the name Altman, as a homage to Ruthie and Laurie's roots, the business has continued to do well.

"We've increased our employee base from five to 20, and added the grill itself," said Jackson. "It's a nice feeling, being part of the community, and there are a lot of caring people."

Although, she didn't expect to end up back at the store, Jackson might tell you the road to starting a business is a long and drawn out process, but it's very much worth it in the end.

South River EMC is a part of this legacy as well, Bruce Jackson's father, Robert, worked at South River EMC, as does Ruthie and Bruce's one son, Aaron.