A Christmas Gem:

Posted December 23, 2015 at 2:59 pm

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The Garden Spot

I was thinking about a few last minute gift ideas and thought of one of my favorite stores that I had not visited this Christmas season. Now this is not an advertisement but just some of my thoughts and experiences written down.

I visit this this store often and have watched children grow into adults here and people with a hard work ethic make the store their careers. Often times when you visit public stores we are missing a hard work ethic or any friendly personality at all. This place is always welcoming and inviting.

This store is where I can go to get fresh fruit and vegetables and at Christmas time I can pick up homemade gifts of jams and jellies or fruit baskets. As I walked into the store this week, it was like walking into Santa’s Workshop. Grandmother was off in a room placing small candies into small plastic bags, Mother was in the back in another room wrapping baskets and tying ribbons, Grandfather came in and was genuinely thrilled to see me, Son was talking on the phone about inventory, and then Uncle came in filling up the nut bins with more nuts. Even though these folks are busy, they are never too busy to say hello and ask how you are so then when Son hung up the phone we had a nice conversation as we always do. We talked about how I could get old fashion candy here and how many of the candies are not available now, and some companies like Zagnut have sold out to Hershey.

I was able to secure two pints of Frog jam, one pint of Toe jam, one pint of pineapple jam, fresh apples, assorted nuts for the husband who likes to crack them out himself, and some Cowtails for the girls. Now when I visit this store, these folks know me and they are happy to see me. They know that I buy Romaine lettuce, carrots, and celery for my Guineau pig and if they don’t have it in stock they are always accommodating and let me know when they will get it in.

This family has raised their children in this store and I have enjoyed watching it happen. I have also been blessed to visit their store in Tennessee and they are just as accommodating. I visit here often, but as I mentioned before, Christmas is always my favorite!

The sights and smells mean Christmas to me when I stop by. When I attend church Christmas plays, I know that most often their busy hands have created the treat bags that are handed out.

I wanted to make pictures of the store this day but I did not want to offend anyone, now maybe I think back and I should have.

This family and store has influenced my life and I think I should take the time to let these folks know this not just at Christmas time but all through the year. So “Garden Spot” you are my “Christmas Gem” and I appreciate all you do and serve to our community!!

Tammy Waid McClellan

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