Dixie’s Only Grocery Store Reopens

DIXIE - Memories run deep for new Dixie Gro- cery owner Cindy Tate and her sister Patty Bunch.

"We would come from Walla Walla to visit rela- tives in Dixie and always had to make a trip to the store for candy," said Tate. "I've wanted to own the store for years, so when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn't pass it up."

Tate envisions the store becoming a mini-museum and social hub in addition to being a grocery stop.

Tate, her sister Patty and brother-in-law Gary Bunch moved to the Dixie area about 25 years ago and live about five miles up Biscuit Ridge Road. While Tate owns the store, the undertaking is a family endeavor, with everyone sharing responsibility for the day-to-day operations.

The trio, who purchased the store from Jim & Kim Joseph in April, has been hard at work to spiff up the place. The store opened for business about three weeks ago, after new flooring was installed and walls were washed with a fresh coat of paint.

The back section of the store, previously known as the "Good Ole' Boys Room", where lo- cals would congregate for coffee and conversation, is currently under reno- vation. The new owners shared that they have been requested to re-name it the "Good Ole' Boys (and Girls) Room" or even the "Chit Chat Room" to make clear that women are welcome as well.

A grand opening is planned for the future, but Bunch and Tate aim to fin- ish the remodel and make progress in lining the walls with historical memorabilia before setting a date. An self-admitted history buff, Tate referred to an article written by "Dixie's Oldest Resident," Elizabeth Kelly, in 1964.

The article references the Dixie Christian Church as the being the first Chris- tian church in the state, the two passenger trains that would pass through town daily, a large dry goods store that burned in a 1915 fire and a water-powered chop feed mill where children would skate on the mill pond in the winter.

"We want to tell the story of how Dixie used to be," said Bunch.

The two are currently researching, gathering photos and documents, and recording memories of area residents.

Tate and Bunch plan to add a guest book soon and, in their short time operating the store, have enjoyed welcoming tourists from Missouri, Texas, Georgia and even a group of cy- clists from New York.

The travelers stop to take a photo of the outside of the store or even to pose with the Walla Walla Sweet onions.

"A guest book will be a bit of history that will remain long after we're gone," said Tate.

Tate and Bunch are hop- ing for strong community support and encourage area residents to stop in and let them know what they'd like to see in the store or to share any his- torical information about Dixie that they might have. They hope to see the store transformed and going strong in time to celebrate its 125th birthday August 2014.