Rube and Helen hang up their grocery store aprons

Nearly 90 years have passed since Fred Miller decided to build a grocery store in the small town of Preston and he probably had no idea the place would become an authentic part of Bath County’s history.

Rube and Helen Blevins bought the store from Fred and his wife Helen sometime in the late 1960s.

After fifty years of serving the community, the couple have decided it’s time they retire and will hang up their store aprons Oct. 31, 2017.

The Blevins couple grew up in the little store they eventually bought and turned into a treasure trove of memories.

“During the 1950s the store was the place for adults and teens to socialize,” Helen said. “During that time Arnold Miller and Frances Belcher operated the store and both men were very understanding, especially when they had to contend with loud teens and a scuffle or two. The store is where Rube and I met and started dating,” Helen said.

Years later Rube and Helen married and became the parents of two children, Rhonda Blevins York and Jodie Blevins Ratliff. Both girls grew up in the store like their parents and continue to help during the stores busiest hours.

Preston Court Days has always been an extremely busy time for the Blevins family as thousands of folks gather in the community to buy, sell and trade and to stop by the store for a cold drink and to visit with old friends.

The local residents say the reason they have such fond memories of the store is because of the genuine kindness of Rube and Helen Blevins.

For Wilma Jones Stephens, the store was a one-of-a kind special place.

“I remember when it was Belchers store. I have lots of good memories of the store and I know many others do as well. Someone should write a book or make a movie of this very special place and the owners who made it that way,” Stephens said. I am glad to have been there growing up on the best bologna and Ale-8 in the country. Blevins Grocery was always the place to meet your school friends after school. I thought it was so cool to visit Helen in the post office located in a small room in the same building”.

A vintage Ale-8 One cooler hugs the back wall and according to Rube, the signature Bath County drink out sells any other item in the store.

During warm weather, locals always gathered on the front porch with their whittling stick and pocket knife in hand, and lots of interesting stories were told.

When the weather turned cold the old wood stove inside becomes the favorite gathering place.

Rhonda remembers when she was a little girl she would wake up early to follow alongside her dad to open the store and get the fire going in the coal stove.

“I always loved going with dad to open the store and getting to sip hot chocolate huddled up close to the warm fire,” Rhonda said. “I love the store and all of the people who visit. Preston wouldn’t be the same without it. Those who attend on a regular basis are like family.”

Jodie remembers being intrigued with the colorful language used by some of the older folks when they discussed politics and listening to the local lore and history of her hometown.

“As soon as I stepped off the school bus I would run inside, slamming the old screen door to rush to the candy counter and then would head straight back to the Ale-8 machine, Jodie said. “We didn’t have much growing up but we sure felt rich with so many wonderful and warm friends who were always at the store. We were all just one big family.”

Sherrie Willoughby said her fondest memory is of meeting her grandfather at the store after school.

“My biggest memory was getting off the bus at the store. My papaw John would be sitting there whittling with all the others,” Willoughby said. “Dad would let us go in and Rube would load us up with a brown bag full of candy and cold Ale-8.”

Through the years, Belvin’s Grocery has been a place where the community feels connected.

“I have always, and will always, treasure this store and all of the wonderful friends and family connected to it,” Kelly Ranvier Durham said.

Rhonda and Jodie said they have heard their parents say that many people are not impressed with the slow pace of life in small rural communities.

“Our parents are quite satisfied with what they have and have no interest in the fast pace of life. Success to our parents means something entirely different and they believe human difference is what makes the world go around. Our parents chose to stay close to what is most important to them; family, friends and the slower pace of life,” Jodie said.

Although they are not certain what they will do after they retire, the lasting friendships and the memories they have made while operating Blevins Store will always hold a special place in the hearts of Rube and Helen Blevins.

Ole’ Country Store

She’s seen many a season come and go

That old country store was one of a kind

A weekly, anticipated trip to the that old store

To pick up supplies or pay on a bill was a pleasure that could never be denied

To everyone that came, it was certainly a big deal;

Oh how those candy jars stood out the most

Sitting on the counter so large and tall; that array of penny candy sure looked tasty plenty of children would still recall

That old pot bellied stove sitting in the middle became a familiar sight for all to see

The welcome sign was always there;

A busy, old place filled with warmth and cheer

Where many came and went and the living was good