Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Burgers and Signs

Each time I drive to my parent's home, I have to veer off the interstate and travel down a two-lane highway.  It is by far the most pleasant part of the journey.  It goes in a nice, southerly straight line through Alabama and right through some beautiful old towns.  

I have passed this old general store many a time and thought about stopping.  And, this time, I finally did.  Located in Opp, Alabama, this store is home to more than a few relics.  Antique signs hang outside and the inside is just as rustic. 

The old wooden doors clanged appropriately when we entered and left the building. 

This tiny building, next door to the larger store, held more signs and a few antiques inside. 

I do think this old Texaco sign looks like it has been hit with just a few bullets. 

Not only did this store serve coffee, but also one very fine cheeseburger. 

And, also some pecan pie that I did not have time to sample.  Perhaps next time......

50 comments:

santastu said...

Hi
So much is made of the new year,
take me back with a large helping
of nostalgia any time, if there's
some rust and cobwebs all the
better.

Time travel thats the life....

DeanO said...

I think the American Pickers would love to visit these stores

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Now that is a cute store!

pilgrimscottage said...

Oh my! I would have stopped, too. The good old days of code-free buildings :)

pilgrimscottage said...

Oh, wanted to wish you a very happy new year and hope it's a great one for you!!

JoLynne Lyon said...

Those are some wonderful old signs. Thanks for the peek.

SRQ said...

A classic store -- love it! That second pic is particularly nice with the bicycle leaning against the old gas pump and the Christmas garland handing above. Good call making the stop. Happy New Year!

TexWisGirl said...

what a cool place! i'd have to hang out there for a while (and dine on good burgers!)

Beverly@Beverly's Back Porch said...

I love stores like this. I would have to stop at all of them.

McVal said...

Awesome! I love going to the local Famous Daves restaurant around here because their decor is very similar.

Jayme Smith said...

I love old stores like that. They always make you feel cozy and warm, and normally the people are super friendly. Great pictures!!

PS. The coffee looks delish!! haha.

Life is good! said...

what a fun store. i would love to shop and eat there also! have a happy new year and find time for pecan pie!

VP said...

I like the place, so many fine vintage ads!

Betsy said...

Nice! Those old metal signs go for over $100 a piece at the auctions!

Megan said...

How cool - I love the bullet holes the most, definitely gives more character!

nanny said...

I love going in old stores....This one looks like I could spend hours in it!

Tyla said...

I just love going off the beaten path to places like this, too. Hope you had a great Christmas. Back to the grindstone now. :(

Linda said...

Now that's my kind of place!! Have a great day!!

Nezzy said...

I just adore these wonderful old stores, reminds me of my childhood days when I was just a little chicklett.

Thanks for the memories sweetie.

God bless and have a marvelous 2012!!! :o)

Robert Geiss said...

Life felt somehow better back when these were new. Thank you for this escape.

IanH said...

How could you NOT have time for pecan pie? It is one of the basic food stuff!

EG Wow said...

Great finds these old signs and cans. Sounds like a fun drive to your parents' place.

Sharon Creech said...

Love those old signs - and also that town's name: Opp! Opp Opp Opp.

ImSoVintage said...

Oh, I love these little old places on the back roads. What a great stopping place.
Laura

Madge @ The View From Right Here said...

I deliberately drive the 'blue highways' as much as possible... life is so much more interesting and you can actually stop if you want... how novel? Love your shots, did you go inside? Or are they out of business?

Deb said...

looks like my kind of place...and a good cheese burger too....

God, Gals, Guns, Grub said...

A w e s o m e photographs...

Dann in Ohio

Theanne and Baron said...

Love the store, the signs and the memories they evoke! Like the Christmas decoration on each side of the doors! Thanks for sharing!

Randy said...

I love the old coffee cans! Sounds like a great place.

primitive ole frugal mumma said...

wow i wish i could take that drive , but its a little to far away :-( never mind iv enjoyed looking at the fantastic pictures you put up :-)

Heidi!!

Bella Michelle said...

I love little surprise stops like that when I am "road tripping." Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers as of late! Your bloggy frienship means so much!!! (((hugs & Happy New Year)))

Daniel said...

Wonderful find and treasure-trove. For most including myself, we've come to realize that items and the way of life of the past has value.

Careful not to over-pay. ;-)

American and Canadian Pickers, including Antiques Roadshow are great shows.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/
http://www.canadianpickers.com/
http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers

Amanda said...

this stop looks like a veritable antique store! i would have trouble passing up the pecan pie....

wishing you all the best and blessings 2012 has to offer ~ (now off to visit the posts i missed over the holidays....)

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Beautiful signs! LOVE them...so INCREDIBLY charming! Happy New Year to you and yours!

Homeschool on the Croft said...

Oh my...if only signs could talk, what stories they'd have to tell. *Especially* the bullet-holed one! Wouldn't you love to know more.... I would anyway!

Joe said...

Love the old signs. My wife recently brought an old metal sign of a caverns near our home at an auction.....I'm afraid to ask what "we" paid for it :).

Butch said...

Now I know where Cracker Barrell gets its decorations.

Jack said...

Yes, yes, yes! Excellent series, Farmchick. I am so glad you stopped for a visit.

Beverly said...

Loved the old signs and relics. Aren't you glad you stopped. Next time you can look forward to some Pecan Pie.

Nancy @ A Rural Journal said...

I'm a big fan of those huge tin signs. What an awesome collection and great captures, Michelle. (Happy to have a real name to your face now!)

Eyeliquor said...

These are wonderful!
Specially the first one :)

Chip "Rocket Man" Allen said...

I absolutely love old places like this. THE BOSS hates driving the Interstates so we usually get treated to a lot of interesting old places when we travel. maybe we'll take our cue from you and stop in at a few from now on.

scrambledhenfruit said...

I love old places like that- they have such character! I hope this New Year brings you health and happiness! :)

Gunn said...

I know some people who would have paid well for signs like this.
A good collection and nice images.

Tricia @ Bluff Area Daily said...

That's one awesome old store! I'd have gone crazy w/ my camera, too! Great shots! =)

the Thrifty Gypsies said...

So many fantastic signs - great photos as well!

J_on_tour@jayzspaze said...

Wonderful display, it reminds me of going into an old diner restaurant when the owners have preserved relics like this on the interior walls for decoration.

LB @ Bullets And Biscuits said...

ohhhhhh, I love it! That is my kinda store! I really like the old shovels and pitch forks lined up. You'd think it would look junky but it was pretty neat looking against the old building

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

We stopped by that same store a few years ago. Once going to Opp for a wedding and another time on the way to a baseball game. Sweet home Alabama. :)

Florida Farm Girl said...

Oh, my goodness!!! I pass that store on the way to my Aunt's house just outside Opp and I've never stopped there either!! Next time, I'm gonna do it. There used to be a store just east of there at Perry's Crossroads that was very similar. I don't know if its still there or not. Hmmmm......guess I should check. It was a neat place too.

Just stumbled over to your blog and am crusing around. Found you via Camp and Cottage Living.