Sandersville Scene 2022 Readers Choice Best Overall Business | Page 39

Southern Relics customers come in as strangers , leave as family

Story and Photos by LEAH S . BETHEA

It all began with prayer .

When Jefferson County natives Jeff and Sandi Jones began thinking about opening their new business , Southern Relics , there were a lot of factors to consider . The couple had previously owned a flower shop in Wadley , and when it closed , Sandi , a nurse , missed the outlet that it provided for her . They knew they wanted to go into business again , and so they started praying about what their new store would offer and , just as importantly , where it would be .
Jeff and Sandi have both worked in Washington County for several years , and along the way , they have made a lot of friends in the area . So , they felt like Sandersville would be a good fit .
“ It ’ s Christ-centered ,” says Jeff of the store . “ We prayed over this thing before we opened the doors up .”
And as it turns out , they weren ’ t the only ones who had been doing some praying .
Russell Riner is the owner of the building that Southern Relics calls home . Riner ’ s family had an auto parts store , Riner Auto Parts & Hardware , on the corner in the 1930s until 1998 , when they sold the business and rented the space as a NAPA Auto Parts store .
“ Between the time NAPA left and the Jones came in , it was empty ,” Riner says .
It was the first time in decades the building had been empty , and it was a strange feeling for Riner , so he started praying .
“ I prayed on getting it occupied , and they prayed for where they could go , and the Good Lord put us together ,” Riner says .
The combination all came together , and Southern Relics offi-
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