www . unioncountymag . com � 10th Anniversary
Summer 2022 � Union County GA Magazine �Page 13
Foodland - The Only Home Town Grocery Store in Union County ,
Where the Owner Knows Your Name and He is So Glad You Came
By Norm Cooper Editor , Union County GA Magazine
Foodland Grocery Store owner Ricky Abercrombie was sitting at the cash register on an Sunday night around eight o ’ clock . Everyone who came into the store was greeted with a smile and was called by their name . Customer after customer , Ricky knew their names .
During the discussion , Ricky said it is easy to know names if you have seen them for years and years . “ If you know somebody 30 or 40 years , you ’ re bound to learn their names .”
And the new customers ? Ricky said , “ I learn their names as fast as I can . People like to hear their name . When I walk in somewhere and they say , ‘ Hey Rick ’, that makes me feel good .”
During the week , Ricky can be found cutting meat , stocking shelves , unloading a truck , crushing boxes outside , or running a register .
He doesn ’ t crush the boxes immediately . They are left for those who might need a box .
For Ricky , Foodland is far more than just a place for people to buy meat , produce , canned goods , boxed food , frozen food , paper products , and much more .
“ Being here is being part of the community ,” said Ricky . “ I enjoy seeing the people who come in here .”
Keys to success for Union County ’ s only hometown
grocery store are simple .
“ I try to provide a good quality product for a good price ,” said Ricky . “ And our employees , we are all like a family .”
It ’ s a place like no other in Union County . At the corner of Young Harris Street and Pat Haralson Street just a few feet off the square in Blairsville , Foodland is a locally owned and operated grocery store offering good food at a good price , sold by a friendly staff , and where you are greeted by name by the owner .
In the most recent years , the inside of the store has been improved with the addition of new coolers , a new meat counter and other changes .
“ We updated all of the
Views of Foodland and owner Ricky at the new meat counter .
Photos / NormC
refrigeration equipment , something that has to be done from time to time . It ’ s like at home . Eventually the refrigerator is going to wear out .”
The store cuts the meat and packages it for sale . They make historically and modernly tasty coleslaw , it ’ s a family tradition .
While much inside changed , the outside still has its charming nostalgic look with block letters .
Foodland offers both brand name products and private label . Inventory includes what the customers want , to which Ricky keeps up-to-date on .
“ If it ’ s hot , it ’ s hot . But if it ’ s not , it ’ s not ,” said Ricky . “ You stock what is selling .”
Foodland has been just off the Square for decades . When downtown was lacking for quality and quantity of businesses , it was tough . With the increase of stores and restuarants , Foodland benefits from the walk in customers in addition to the loyal shoppers .
“ Some people would have thrown in the towel a long time ago ,” said Ricky . “ We just did not know when to quit . But , if you like what you are doing , and you can make a living at it , you don ’ t get much better than that . If you can make a living doing what you enjoy and you have your health , you are blessed .”
Ricky Abercrombie became involved with the business in a way one seldom hears about anymore in today ’ s world .
“ I was born into it ,” said Ricky , “ That ’ s what dad did and I followed his footsteps .”
Ricky ’ s dad was Wayne , who owned the Foodland store for a long time and who had been in the grocery business for six decades . While the store has a great history , Ricky knows ‘ history ’ doesn ’ t sell groceries .
“ Some people think it is kind of cool due to the nostalgia , but it does not make people come in or not come in to buy anything ,” said Ricky . “ They are not going to come in just because you have an old building .”
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