Local describes owner Bruce Stone and son Derek as a ‘Godsend’
ROWLESBURG — Rowlesburg Mercantile owner Bruce Stone said he is following COVID guidelines to keep his staff and customers safe.
Stone bought the store in June. It was the last store to be sold from the Belko Foods chain.
Stone said he bought the store for two reasons: He didn’t want the store to close, and he wanted his 5-year-old son to grow up in a small town.
“I designed and built restaurants, and we went from town to town, state to state,” Stone said. “My older kids knew a lot of people, but not for long. I want my youngest son to grow up in one place.”
He and his older son Derek manage the store.
Stone said running the business during the pandemic has been an experience for them.
“It’s been difficult getting some products to the town because of supply and demand,” he said.
On the plus side, Stone said he hasn’t been hoarding toilet paper, paper towels or hand sanitizer.
“This is a close-knit town; members of the community tend to help each other,” he said. “The elderly community knows if anyone needed something, I would bring it to them.”
Stone said although there have been no singular popular items, some have gone up and down in spurts.
“One week, I might order 50 gallons of milk and need 75,” he said. “Another week, I might order 50 gallons of milk and only sell 25.”
Stone said he is planning to make some changes to the store next spring.
“There have been a few turnarounds,” he said. “Right now with winter, it’s slowed down. This spring, I want to work with Rails to Trails and put in some camping supplies and kayaks rentals.”
He said he also wants to open up an ice cream, pizza and drink window at his store. This could be used by both hikers and others.
Another addition he is considering is a produce stand. Stone said the stand would be behind the store on the roadside, making it easily accessible to the public.
“I’ve had people ask for produce by the bushel,” he said. “If someone asks for something, I try to get it.”
Vicky Taylor, branch manager of the Rowlesburg Clear Mountain Bank described Bruce and Derek as a godsend.
“They are nice people,” she said. “I asked them about an item I couldn’t even find at Walmart; they told me they would have it by next week. Now I don’t have to go to Kingwood,”
She said during Christmas Bruce and Derek not only decorated their business but also helped others decorate.
“They are very friendly and will help anyone they can. They fit right in,” she said.
Rowlesburg Mercantile LLC is at 22 Buffalo St.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Phone: 304-454-2057.
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