The theme of this year’s Union County Heritage Festival is “Celebrating Country.” One thing country that has all but disappeared is the country store. There was one or more in every community. The country store carried everything from food to feed. You could use the feed sacks to make a dress or buy the finest linen or silk for a special occasion. It was the place to shop, socialize, or maybe just sit on the porch and enjoy a Pepsi Cola or an R. C. and a Moon Pie. Some people bought peanuts and a Coke. Children and some adults ate Kitts candy or slurped a banana popsicle. The best baloney sandwiches were bought by factory workers and fishermen. Students used Blue Horse notebook paper for working problems and writing lessons. During holidays, children watched wide-eyed as the storekeeper scooped Christmas candy out of a big, wax lined cardboard box and weighed those delights up in a brown paper bag. Oh my, that was good!

If you remember these items, you just might be country! If you grew up in Union County you just might remember one of the country stores in the 2026 Heritage Festival Collectible Print.

Viewing the print, from left to right beginning in the top left is a summary of each store.

The Eb Vandergriff Store was located at the intersection of Hwy 33 and Hwy 61-W, in the Paulette community. While fond memories exist, unfortunately the building is no longer there.

To the right of the Vandergriff Store is the A. T. Cole Store in Sharps Chapel. This store is one of Union County’s oldest stores that remained in operation well into the 21st century. Known as Wood Cole’s Store more recently, it was featured in one of the Heartland episodes that focused on country music and card playing. The last owner was Kimble “Gail” Keck, of New Tazewell. The store building still exists.

Next is Kay’s Market on Hwy 33 at the intersection of Oakland Road. as it looked in its early days. It is another Union County landmark. Wayne and Kay Sharp Butler opened the store in 1985. At that time it was a much smaller building housing a convenience market and two gas pumps. Over the years of serving the community, they added a deli to the building and several additional gas pumps.

To the right of Kay’s Market is Pin Hook Store, which is named for its location at Pin Hook Crossroads in Hickory Valley. Cattle buyers would come there to meet people driving their cattle to market. In the 1860s the Pin Hookers, as they were called, would buy the cattle at a lower price and then take them to market in Knoxville and sell them at a greater price. The store was owned by John Myers and it is said that it was used as a voting place for that precinct. Essie Buckner Myers was the first woman to cast a vote in Union County, and she did it at the Pin Hook Store.

Brisco Beeler’s Store (later McPhetridge Store owned by Jen McPhetridge) is on Little Valley Road at the intersection of Buckner School Road. In 1973, the movie Lolly Madonna was filmed in Union County staring Rod Steiger, Robert Ryan, and Jeff Bridges. One of the characters was leaving home on a bus. That bus scene was filmed at Beeler’s Store.

In the far right, Luttrell Super Market better known as Stowers Store was on Hwy 61-E in Luttrell. Cedar Ford Baptist Church is where the store used to stand. The store holds fond memories by all who shopped and worked there. The building was small, but was a source of canned goods, fresh meat, and produce for the area. It was also robbed in the 1970s by two young fellows who were caught with the cash stuffed in their front pants pockets.

The Hamilton-Lay Store is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by LaFayette Hamilton in what was known as Hamilton’s Crossroads. Hamilton’s Crossroads is believed to be the first settlement in what is now Union County. Hamilton later sold it to J. P. Lay who ran the store for many years. It housed the first telephone switchboard in Union County.

Hamilton’s Grocery on Kettle Hollow Road was owned by Sam and Irene Hamilton. It is believed that Irene was the first woman in Union County to obtain a business license. This store is also on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of and surrounded by the Hamilton Complex.

In the lower left corner is Butcher’s Store on Main Street in Maynardville. In addition to being a grocery store it served as the Grey Hound Bus Stop and had a Maw Bell public pay telephone and booth inside. Many people still relate fond memories of Mr. Jim Chesney who was the store clerk and who famously scooped up the most generous ice cream cone that anyone could imagine.

The final store is Beeler’s Market located on Hwy 61-E near the intersection of Walker’s Ford Road. Bobby Beeler, who owned and ran the market, is well remembered by everyone. Bobby would serve up the best bologna sandwich you could get anywhere. Unless you refused, it would come with a slice of onion that covered the entire sandwich. On top of that he’d say “get yourself a free pop.” He probably gave away to people in need as much as he sold. He was a man with a giant, generous and kind heart.

The painting is by Betty Bullen, a renowned Union County artist who recently studied in Scotland and Paris. Bullen is known for her exceptional portraits and her nature scenes. The R. C. and Moon Pie prints will be available at the festival in Wilson Park and at the Festival Art Show in the Historic Snodderly House, 720 Main St., Maynardville on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thereafter, current and past collectible prints can be purchased at The Winery at Seven Springs Farm, 1472 Highway 61 E, Maynardville. Only 200 prints are made, signed and numbered. When they are gone, they are gone. The cost is $20 each and 100% of the proceeds go to help fund the Heritage Festival events next year.