Category Archives: Stores

Moore’s Brother General Merchandise-Taliaferro County, Georgia

The store was built in 1894. I dove into Ancestry records, and I believe this was owned by a James Moore. Researching historic records and newspapers, I found mentions of seeing James Moore at his store for his special stomach medication in local newspapers.

Unfortunately, there were three James Moores, listed as farmers, in Taliaferro County. Two of them were listed as living in Raytown. All had brothers.

This image is from the
Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological and Historic Resources Geographic Information System database. It was taken in 2010.

Coca-Cola Building of Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spartanburg Coca-Cola began in 1902 in a building behind the Spartan Inn. The fourth and final building was opened in 1936. The Art Deco construction was designed by local noted architect James Frank Collins, who designed the Masonic Temple, Spartanburg General Hospital, and Wofford and Converse campuses. The building was in use until 2017. It then sat abandoned until 2023, when plans were made to save the building and turn it into a mixed-use facility.

Hogan’s Store of Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Hogan’s Store is a familiar landmark for anyone driving Highway 78 south of Lexington, Georgia.

Baber-Rhyne Drug Store of Spartanburg, South Carolina

The Baber Rhyne Drug Store, located next to the train depot on Magnolia Street, was incorporated in 1918. The original owners were Grover Baber and J. W. Rhyne. They eventually turned ownership to Wendell Burnett. Based on advertisements, it was the only drug store in town open 24 hours a day. The location was convenient for travelers and rail staff. The drugstore eventually closed. Different restaurants have called this location home over the years.

On a side note, while researching the history of the building, I found an article about a William Walker pleading guilty to taking over 14,000 narcotic pain tablets from the drug store. He was a former clerk there. It made me wonder what the black market value of narcotics was back in the 1950s.

Railway Express Agency-Spartanburg, South Carolina

Located next to the train station, the Railroad Express Agency was built by George Harakas in 1946 for $16,000. It was a package pick-up location and could store several truckloads of packages.

Over the years, it served as a transmission shop, newsstand, music store, and vintage clothing store.

September 28, 1946 issue of the Spartanburg Herald Journal

The Krispy Kreme of Spartanburg, South Carolina

If you grew up in Spartanburg, this is the Krispy Kreme where you would pick up their delicious doughnuts. Located on Church Street, the building was opened in 1969 by Reverend Wilford W. Reese. When he passed away in 1979, his son, Glenn Reese, took over the franchise. Glenn Reese was also a teacher, basketball official, and a South Carolina senator. This location closed in 2005, and a new location was built across the street.