Old Country Store (then and now)

[Donald]

That is a beautiful image.

[Digital]

Thank you Donald so much for your kind comment.


Bruce

[Digital]

Contacted the corporate headquarters of the Coca-Cola company again today. Was met with more of a positive response. Explained that I was wondering if the Coca-Cola company had a policy of restoring old buildings in order to preserve the Coca-Cola logo.
I requested, and received the phone number of the Coca-Cola office that serves the Carrollton area.
Plan to contact them tomorrow.

Bruce ("persistent" Sleuth)

[shreds]

Bruce,

I reckon if I ever came to your part of the US, I would have to take a trip to find this phenomenon. Maybe CC don't realise they have a worldwide tourist attraction on their hands?

Can't find it on Google Earth yet?

The roof damage looks minor and probably a new sheet or straightened corrugated sheet would sort it out, before the weather gets in. 'A stitch in time saves nine' as the old saying goes.

[Digital]

Called another Coca-Cola office this afternoon. The person I spoke to related that he never heard of the Coca-Cola company paying for repairs of old buildings to preserve the Coca-Cola logo. Did supply me with a different website (CocaColaUnited.com) to go to for further information. I plan to visit this website tomorrow. I do not plan to give up this line of inquiry just yet.

Ian, I apologize for not responding to your post (#248) sooner. It is ironic that mankind is so significant, yet at the same time so insignificant. Looking at the Universe as a whole, makes all our conflicts on this little blue speck seem so petty.

Bruce ("philosophical" Sleuth)

[Digital]

Well, I looked at the Coca-Cola website, and did not find any information that was very helpful. The website does have a photo of the Coca-Cola's Board of Directors; however their phone numbers were not listed. "Oh heck". I have decided to give up this line of inquiry for now, and pursue, hopefully a more promising one.

In my research of the Caldwell store, I learned something about the Caldwell family. Since the family was not really relevant to my inquiries, this information was not passed on to you my good readers. However, there is one possible lead that I have hesitated to follow that I may pursue. Approximately a year ago I learned that one of the original children of the Caldwells was still alive. In my written notes on the Caldwell store, I have this person's name. If this person is still alive, I may pay them a visit this weekend.

Since Ralph's death, I have come to the conclusion that I may have relied on him way to much, instead of using my own initiative.

Bruce ("ever learning" Sleuth)

[shreds]

Bruce,

I too took the liberty of looking at the Coca Cola United (Bottlers) site and saw that board of directors photo……..one thing they need is a better portrait photographer!

It may have been a 'grab' shot but considering who they are and what they do, you would think they might have paid (and could afford) a local professional photographer to shoot it and set it up. (of perhaps they did)?

It would have been so easy to have a less distracting background (Is that the Apollo moon landing module in the background?) and organise them better! The staircase could have been used to so much more of an advantage than just using the bottom step. A lot of unnecessary detail could have been excluded and made to look like a much more professional shot……

[mugge]

Bruce, please give us update(s) as this is most puzzling.
Cheers Ole

[Digital]

Found out today that one of the original children of the Caldwells is still alive, and residing in the same location.
Instead of visiting this person this weekend, I plan to visit them this coming week.

I wish I was not so vague; however, at this point in time, I want to protect the privacy of this individual.

Also, have not heard from Ralph's family on whether they will grant me permission to post Ralph's real name, something about his background, and a photo of him.

Bruce ("still persistent" Sleuth)

[Donald]

Keep 'sleuthing'. It is a marvellous story.

[Digital]

Thank you Donald. Your comments mean a lot to me.


Bruce

[Digital]

Today I talked with the last surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell. This individual has very graciously agreed to meet with me this coming Saturday.


Bruce ("hopeful" Sleuth)

[shreds]

Congratulations and I hope the meeting is pleasant and brings forth some of the answers you have so diligently pursued in your investigation of this intriguing building.

[Digital]

Thanks to a very gracious person, who is the last of the surviving child of Mr. & Mrs. Caldwell, I have gained further information on the Old Country Store. As soon as I gather all of my notes together, I will share what I have learned. Once this is done, this thread will be all but over. You would think that I would be elated; however I feel a little letdown that the journey is almost over.

Bruce ("grateful" Sleuth)

[Cantab]

... Once this is done, this thread will be all but over. You would think that I would be elated; however I feel a little letdown that the journey is almost over.

Bruce ("grateful" Sleuth)

Bruce, it's been quite a journey. I've gone back and looked at your first post, which illustrated the surprising "renovation" of the store between 2013 and 2016.

I look forward to the final installment!

[shreds]

Fourteen forum pages and in truth you are quite a good story teller, keeping us 'gripped' until the very last moments, but nevertheless one that has been interesting and intriguing to follow.

Reaching the end of any journey always has an element of disappointment that the journey is over and finished, but in truth it is the journey that has been made, that is the 'excitement' and fascination, that will be remembered by all those who followed it as well as for yourself, diligently pursuing this to the end.

I will add my grateful thanks now, even at this penultimate chapter.

[Donald]

Reaching the end of any journey always has an element of disappointment that the journey is over and finished, but in truth it is the journey that has been made, that is the 'excitement' and fascination, that will be remembered by all those who followed it as well as for yourself, diligently pursuing this to the end.

Indeed. That Old Country Store has become part of your life. But the journey need to be looked back on with pleasure and a sense of achievement.

I will add my grateful thanks now, even at this penultimate chapter.

And I will too, in case I forget later.

[Digital]

Ian - thank you so much for your very kind comments.

Donald, as always your input is greatly appreciated.

I always will look fondly on this "adventure" in my life. At times it utterly consumed me.

Bruce

[Digital]

Before I close this thread out, I would like to share a personal story in connection with old country stores. Believe it, or not I did not think of the connection during the entire time that I was writing this thread until a few posts ago when it dawned on yours truly.

My paternal grandfather owned a small country store located on U.S. Highway 42, which before I-71 was completed was the main thoroughfare between Louisville (Kentucky), and Cincinnati (Ohio). The store was about 15 miles northeast of Louisville.
He worked for AT&T previously. After he retired he apparently opened this store. In addition, he owned 16 acres of land situated around the store. I remember he had fruit trees near the store: however I do not remember what type(s).

On Sundays my mother would drive my aunt (his daughter), my sister, and myself out to visit with him for the day. At this point in time (late 1950's) my father (who I adored) was deceased. I remember my grandfather being a taciturn man. He would always give my sister and me an "Orange Crush" soda pop, and a candy bar.

The store would sell the usual fare that country stores offered. He had gasoline pumps for cars. If memory serves me correctly, it was the Gulf brand. Also, Greyhound buses would stop at his store on their way from Louisville to Cincinnati, or the opposite.

While my mother, aunt, and grandfather visited, my sister and I would go outside to his water pump. Both of us would pump the handle until water came out. He had no indoor plumbing. He also had an outhouse.

My grandfather's residence was in in back of the store.

He died in 1962, at the age of 92. The land, and the store was eventually sold to a horse breeder.

I wish I had a photo of the store as it existed in the late 1950's. Unfortunately I do not.

Bruce ("sentimental" Sleuth)

[Donald]

My paternal grandfather owned a small country store located on U.S. Highway 42, which before I-71 was completed was the main thoroughfare between Louisville (Kentucky), and Cincinnati (Ohio). The store was about 15 miles northeast of Louisville.

That just evokes all the pictures of the America that we on this side of the pond grew up thinking and dreaming about.