Lonely Merchantile

farlymac

farlymac

PF McFarland
Local time
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Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
7,657
In Patrick County, VA south of Woolwine on Rt. 8, there sits an old store by the side of the road. It's a large complex that includes another smaller structure to the south of the main building, and possibly a mechanics shop building in the back. The owners house and barns are behind and to the north of the main building. At one time, gasoline pumps were added, and a stand-alone shelter canopy was built out in front of the main building for the convenience of the customers.

The place was opened a long time ago, possibly before automobiles were around. and has been closed many years. Luckily, this is one place that still gets a little care, and hasn't been vandalized.

When you look at it today, one can see the fore runner of the modern shopping center, with the general store dealing in groceries, household goods, and hardware, with room for a meeting hall, and the Post Office. Then the outer building could have been a millinery store. And there is the place in back that was most likely a repair shop beginning in the horse and buggy era, and continuing into the automobile age. There may have even been a bus stop established here in the thirties.

The main building still has it's charm, with the large shelving racks along the walls of the main room, a big pot-belly stove for heating, and the drinking fountain out front that shines with it's heavy chrome catch bowl. The bench on the porch still invites old codgers to sit a spell, and keep up on all the doings in the county.

But time and Mother Nature are transpiring to do with these buildings what they do with everything, recycle them to the earth. It's odd though, that the newest structure, being the gasoline pump canopy, is also the one in most dis-repair. They just don't build 'em like they used to.

16000741069_463e9b36cb_z.jpg

I. M. Akers General Merchandise by br1078phot, on Flickr

For all seventeen photos, go to https://flic.kr/s/aHsk7o5jfe

PF
 
Nice photos, Phil! Really well done--I really liked the shot of the inside showing the floors and the shelving--remarkably well preserved. The detail on the outside of the store is also beautiful--thanks for showing these.
Paul
 
This image is quite lovely. The color palette feels very compatible with the subject matter.

If you haven't already done so, have a look at William Christenberry's images. Like you, he appreciates this subject matter a lot.
 
I loved driving that part of Hwy8. Haven't been by this place in a long while. Of course driving a commercial vehicle it's hard to pull off side of the road. You really did the old business justice Phil. Very nice. Southern Va. has some real treasures to photograph.
 
At the risk if introducing a painting into a photography conversation, the tone of this thread brings to my mind the vision of Hoppers famous painting "Gas"

For those who've not seen it:

http://uploads7.wikiart.org/images/edward-hopper/gas.jpg!HalfHD.jpg

I've always found that painting darkly moving - almost disturbing for some reason. I think there is something intriguing about the idea of the organizing and civilizing element of man, engaged in commerce for instance, in a somewhat remote environment, against the odds - and the possibly of that endeavor failing, as well as the forgotten relics thereof (such as Aker's store) .
 
That's a nice shot. I have a weakness for old abandoned buildings. In fact I took up 4x5 for this reason as small formats without movements really don't do it justice.
 
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