Country Store
Jones Grocery Store in the Township of Lewisville, North Carolina.
Historical Site
Traveling west on Shallowford Road from downtown Lewisville, NC eventually brings one to a curve in the road, not far from the Yadkin River, where Jones Grocery Store sits quietly on the left. Across the road, atop a hill, sits Union United Methodist Church.
I’m not sure how long Jones Grocery Store has been closed, but it’s not been in operation for many years. In 2006 the Lewisville Historical Society placed a historical marker on the store’s property that reads:
JONES GROCERY STORE, 1875 — Joseph Spurgeon Jones (1845–1928) built the original store that at the time was in the Little Yadkin Township, a part of Yadkin County. In 1914, his son, Will A. Jones (1871–1940), moved the store across the road east of its present location. After a disastrous robbery in 1926, Will built the present structure, which included a residence. Three generations of the Jones family ran the store for a century. Subsequent owners include James and Frances Vaughn Gough.
Solving a Photographic Problem
I’ve driven by Jones Grocery Store a number of times within the last year, sometimes taking photos of it, but most of the time not. I was looking for the time of day with the best light for photographing the store. The problem was that the front of the store is shaded most of the day. The very best time, I found, was mid-morning. But even then, the front of the store is still not in direct sunlight.
To learn how I solved the lighting problem, please continue to the NEXT SECTION, where I also include a black-and-white version of the above photo.
HDR to the Rescue
I don’t know why it hadn’t occurred to me sooner, but on a recent bright morning, it “dawned” on me that the best strategy for photographing Jones Grocery Store was to employ the HDR technique (which has been discussed in previous posts, primarily in the Moving Along post).
By using HDR, it didn’t matter what time of the day I photographed the store — I could capture detail in both the shadowed areas, as well as, of course, in the areas hit by direct sunlight. The above photo is the result of applying the HDR technique.
More to Consider
What’s interesting about the above photo is that it looks fairly normal, as though the grocery store was evenly lit by sunlight. However, in the actual scene, the front of the store was in considerable shadow, looking rather dark and dull.
In future posts, I’ll take you closer to the store with photos showing some of the wonderful detail that is characteristic of HDR photography.
Color or Black-and-White?
Meanwhile, I’m starting to get used to providing alternate black-and-white photos for comparison! What do you think about the black-and-white version shown below? It has a completely different look from the color version.
If you had to choose one photo, which would it be — the color or the black-and-white? Please share your thoughts below.
Jones Grocery Store in the Township of Lewisville, North Carolina.
Photo Gallery
We’ll definitely be stopping by Jones Grocery Store again in the future. But for now, you can visit the Jones Grocery Store photo gallery to review the store’s current collection of photos.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy the other Jones Grocery Store blog posts featured on this website.
Deb, I know your photos are not to be copied, but I used my computer to see how this looked in sepia or greytone and then I deleted what I had done. Looked liked a pencil sketch. Sort of neat. I do like your photos. On down the road is West Bend Baptist Church, just a pretty place. I had talked to you on the phone.
Polly
Hi, Polly —
Those were some good alternative looks to try on the photo. I bet they did look nice. Sometimes I’m frustrated by the lack of time for trying different options. Thanks for deleting the photos from your computer.
Other than Westbend Vineyards, I’ve not explored a great deal over that way, but I look forward to more photos in that area.
It was good to talk to you recently. Thanks for taking the time to share here on the blog.
All the best,
Deb
Hi Deb. Just checking in to see how you are doing. I see some changes and hopefully it will start doing its thing. Did you ever do the other? In my case, it’s definitely sending me goodies. Very cool pic. Don’t know how you do it.
Hi, Steve! Good to hear from you. Thank you for checking in. Yes, after thinking about your SEO advice, I did get busy with the first stage of your suggested improvements. I’ll email you shortly with more specific info. Thanks, and keep up the good work on your growing site.
Hello Deb —
I like either picture of the Jones Store. The black and white takes us back to our yesterdays!
If you go back out to West Bend, in front of the Methodist Church is School Road, and down it is a real old cemetery on the left side of road.
Your photos are always interesting, I just look forward to seeing what “great surprises” are in store for us. Thanks.
Polly
Hey, Polly —
Thanks for your feedback on the photos. And thanks for that tip on the graveyard. I had no idea it was there. I have to say I’m not so familiar with that side of the township. Thanks for the scoop. I’ll definitely put that on my list of places to check out!
Although sometimes I get a little nervous about whether I’ll find a good shot to share, the challenge is nevertheless fun and rewarding. Thanks for being a reader…and a commenter!
Hello Deb,
My family owns this store. My mom is Frances Gough. If I remember correctly, I believe we closed it about 12 years ago. The zoning was grandfathered for years, but according to Forsyth County Zoning, after a business has closed for a year, it reverts back to residential. We would love to reopen it; however, when inquiring we were told it may take thousands to meet zoning codes and apply for zoning request and still no guarantee it will be approved. It was mentioned we may even have to move the structure….too close to road, all kinds of costs involved. Just wish there was some way to do this since it is such a valued establishment to the West Bend neighborhood. If anyone has any connections on how to get around all the red tape to reopen, please respond. My husband and I have some wonderful plans, but had to place them on hold for now.
Hello Ms. Gough,
My name is Teri Conrad, and I grew up with pictures & memories of Jones Store. Yes, my family grew up on Scott Road. My grandparents were William Kimbrough Conrad & Mary Elizabeth Scott (West Bend Baptist Church).
I’d love to be in contact with regards to reopening the store & unveiling the nostalgia of which would be well received in today’s age.
Thank you & I look forward to being in touch.
Respectfully,
Teri Conrad
Hi, Lynn —
Nice to “meet” you! People do love that old store. It’s too bad there’s such red tape involved now in reopening it. That’s a shame, as having it open again would be a real treat for the area. I hope there will be an open door of some kind for you in the future.
Thanks so much for writing.
All the best,
Deb
Lynn,
Sorry to hear about the red tape [with the old country store]. I grew up in the area and know you and your family.
I would give my left leg to go back 20-50 years and raise my family in the area! I have wonderful memories of the area and especially the people.
Sorry to say, when city folk, etc. took over Lewisville, it went downhill fast. Why is it when people love an area and it becomes the “hot thing” they all move in….. and then commence to ruining it with all the red tape, taxes and spoiled, bratty, too-much-time-on-their-hands kids? You can’t do anything with your land or property unless it fits in with their idealistic image of a small town bucolic little artsy community, which is not what a true rural area is.
Anyway, good luck with your plans with the store….. Hope you are planning an art shop / flower shop / coffee house … to get it past the city council! God forbid you want to open it back as a small store that sells gas and needed supplies for a farming community.
Lewisville Ex-Pat
Hi everyone!
My name is Lynn Byrd, and my cousin Katie and I lived above the store and ran it for Worth Seats when he owned it in the mid-70’s. We spent days dusting off those many shelves, and sweetening up that beautiful main room. That was back when neighborhood farmers brought extra produce to sell and played checkers on the front porch in the summer and by the wood stove in the winter…back when Miss Gertie and her dog, Pup, stopped by everyday just because she needed somebody to witness her life. I saw a lightning bolt pass through the bathtub faucet during a summer storm. Musicians came once a month and played bluegrass in the parking lot, and my dog Ben killed the biggest groundhog I’ve ever seen, right about where the historical marker sits now. An old barn sat in the back of the parking lot, a rickety thing, but with lots of character. The only gas pump was the one out front. Hard rain on the tin roof sounded like gunshot, and soft rain sounded like the earth itself was rocking us to sleep.
If you want to sell this store for a penny, please let me know! 🙂
Well, hello there, Lynn!
Thanks so much for taking time to share your vivid and entertaining memories of Jones Grocery Store! You’ve painted such wonderful word pictures of your experiences there. I’m sure everyone who comes across this post and reads your comments will enjoy them as much as I have. I hope you’re writing down your memories, too, as you’ve got such an engaging way with words.
Thanks so much for stopping by. It was a pleasure reading of your memories of Jones Grocery, and I appreciate your sharing them.
All the best,
Deb
Wow I’m just finding this thread. Nostalgia for sure. I grew up at 9000 Shallowford (one house to the right) and Union is my family church and I grew up there (was baptized) and of course know the Gough family. The Burton and Dalton families have roots here. Thank you for the reminder of how wonderful it was to visit this store as a child with my daddy and grandaddy!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Bernadette! Thank you for taking a few moments to share your connection to the grocery store and the area. Lots of good folks around here. 😉