How did you get into the supermarket business?

I started bagging groceries when I was 12 and could barely see over the counter. After high school I went to work for Hills, eventually helping to manage their 32 stores, and did the same for Food Lion, until I bought my place in 1993. It’s a bright, friendly country store. We have a full line of produce, dry goods, and a deli, and sell gas, kerosene, and everything you need for your garden too.

We’re known for my fresh hand-cut meats, which hardly anyone does anymore. But expanding the business has really been a family effort, with my wife, Gloria, our son, Larramie, his wife, Summer, and our daughter, Angel, working to make it what it is.

I’m from Old Dock, Gloria is from Nakina, and our store is kind of a hometown hangout; you might find 20 folks outside on the benches on a nice Sunday morning. Our kids went to the same schools we did, so we help support their fundraisers, teacher days and athletic programs. We enjoy doing the same for local churches and rescue squads too.

What are your other priorities?

Family is always number one. Angel went to East Carolina. She’s an RN here in town, and her children are Braylon (11) and Rylan (8). Larramie went to NC State. He works with me at the store, and he and Summer have Jack (5).

Gloria and I keep the grandchildren a lot. They’re close and look forward to being with each other. I love to fish and enjoy sharing that with them. Jack, in particular, says he was born to fish; he baits his hook, throws it out, reels it in, does it all. I also love to go deer and duck hunting and carry them with me — they like to get in the stand and see everything. It can be a little exhausting, but I like to think they keep me young!

What do you want members to know about the co-op?

We use technology and innovation to keep your electricity as reliable and affordable as possible. We attend a lot of training and do a lot of reading to stay on the forefront — and our management team is the best in the business. When we go to conferences, we find out that we’ve already been doing things other co-ops are just considering, so we’re able to give them advice. We’re looked at as one of the leading co-ops in the state, and in the country too. And we all agree, we’ll never sacrifice personal service. My mama said keep your family close and never forget where you came from — and that goes for the co-op, too.