Kelly’s Crossroads once again open for business

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“We did it for the community.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Christa Jennings

 

New owners have breathed new life into a local institution in the Richville community, with Kelly’s Crossroads once again opening its doors for customers.

Owners Jason and Jamie Thornton held a grand opening for the store and deli Saturday, July 12. The event was deemed a great success, with crowds gathering into the store throughout the three-hour event.

For the special occasion, guests enjoyed barbecue sandwiches made by family and friends of the Thorntons. They utilized a small version of a barbecue pit and cooked Boston butts on site to have for the grad opening.

For the celebration they also had a cake featuring the Kelly’s Crossroads logo, as well as a grand opening sign made and donated by Bailee Gardine with Slumbers by B.

While the grand opening was just held, the store held a soft opening and has been operating for about a month, the culmination of months of cleaning and renovating as the Thorntons underwent a labor of love to reopen the business for the community.

The Thorntons purchased the building and property in early June of last year and spent about two months going through everything at the old store. They then began renovating the building and did renovations from approximately August of last year to this June.

Work put into the building included extensive renovations, with them gutting the building, redoing the floors, painting the walls, installing a new ceiling, adding in the new kitchen and deli area, and more.

When asked what inspired them to purchase and open the store, Jason Thornton responded, “We did for the community.”

He added that the Kelley family, particularly Bud Kelley’s children, were excited for them to purchase the store and keep it open.

Kelly’s Crossroads has been a well-established and time-honored business in the Richville community for decades.

The store dates back to the 1930s, according to tax records. There is even an old photo in the store of a gentleman leaning against a 1941 Ford in front of the building, which also served as a bus station at the time, shown by a sign in the background of the photo.

While the business has a new look and new owners, it also gives honor to those who came before and who operated the store over the years, while demonstrating how much family means.

Along a wall and shelves in the store are family photos of the original owners, Henry and Celia Kelley; as well as Bud’s parents, Wannie and Thurman; and Bud himself, all lined next to a photo of Jason and Jamie.

Other items on display in the store that pay respect to the Kelley family and “Mr. Bud” include a “Bud’s Country Store” sign, a cane made for Bud with the Kelley name engraved into the wood and an original jar of “Hillwood Holler” moonshine given to him from Bill and Rachel Embry, who were featured on “Moonshiners: Master Distiller.” Bud was born in the Hillwood community, and the jar is one of the few remaining that features the original Flagg Mountain logo.

With its longstanding history in the community, naming the new business was not much of a decision, with the Thorntons seeking to keep the Kelly’s Crossroads name.

“We wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Jason Thornton said.

He and Jamie were excited to keep the name, stating that Bud Kelley’s family gave them permission to maintain the name and keep it going.

In addition to the convenience store items such as snacks, beverages and other items, the main business is currently the deli, which offers sandwiches, salads, breakfast items, and grab-and-go options.

So far the best selling menu item has been the Swamp Creek Club. Runner-ups have been Bud’s Bologna Sandwich and the Crossroads Club Salad.

The Thorntons said that they will have specials at times, and after being such a success at the grand opening, they will also offer barbecue occasionally.

The menu will also change as the seasons change, with Jamie stating that they plan to offer some seasonal menu items. People can check the store’s Facebook page for menu and other updates.

The focus remains on community, as they said they are trying to be flexible to the community and appreciate getting feedback on things customers might like to see.

One highly requested item has been well received by longtime store visitors, as the Thorntons brought back the cutting of steaks that Bud Kelley did for so long.

Additionally, they plan to continue with things that Bud had for so many years, such as getting bait and minor hardware items as “Phase 2” of the store opening. Ultimately they said they plan for it to be a small-scale shop “like Bud did all these years.”

Other plans are also in the works for the store, and Jason said that he is continuing to explore options for fuel, something else that is highly requested.

The Thorntons also plan to bring back some other things from over the years, including seasonal items, such as features for the hunters during hunting season.

In reflecting over the store’s rich history in the community and how many generations have visited the store, Jason said, “It’s amazing to think of the number of people this store has touched over the years.”

In addition to regulars and locals, the store has also seen hikers making their way along the Eastern Continental Trail stopping in, including some visiting from other countries and hiking Flagg and the ECT.

The Thorntons appreciate all the support they have received so far and look forward to continuing to serve the community for years to come.

“We thank the Kelley family for the opportunity to purchase the property and keep the store going,” Jason said. “We also thank our family and friends for all of their help during the renovation process.”

The Thorntons also thanked everyone who came out for the grand opening and who have supported their new endeavor so far, adding that people came from all over for the event.

County Commission Chair Lamar Daugherty, who attended the grand opening, is excited to have Kelly’s Crossroads open for business again.

“As a lifelong resident of Coosa County, and the chair of the Coosa County Commission, I want to personally say thank you to Jamie and Jason Thornton for purchasing, renovating and re-opening Kelly’s Crossroads,” Daugherty said. “For as long as I can remember this store, the Kelley family has been an integral part of the community. I remember buying snacks in there as a youngster for fishing and hunting, and as an adult purchasing bait, grocery items and the occasional pipe fitting or piece of hardware that Mr. Bud always seemed to have to get you out of a bind. It was a big loss in the community when the store closed, but Jamie, Jason, their entire family, and a host of close friends have brought a vital piece of Coosa County back to life. I wish them nothing but success and hope that everyone has a chance to stop by and grab some of their delicious breakfast and lunch items, or take home a hand-cut steak. I have enjoyed my visits in the store and look forward to many more stops in the future. Thank you again, Jamie and Jason, for breathing life into this local gem known as Kelly’s Crossroads!”

Sheriff Michael Howell is also excited for the return of Kelly’s Crossroads, having fond memories of growing up in the area and frequenting the store.

“This has always been a staple in the community I grew up in,” Howell said. “It was always a blessing to see Mrs. Wannie and Bud for all those years. Ever since I could remember this store has always been open. I can only remember a couple of times it has ever been closed. They were even open on Christmas Day. If I ever got a gift for Christmas and didn’t have batteries we could always go to Kelley’s Crossroads. I’m proud for the vision Jamie and Jason Thornton have to keep this business going. I’m praying for their continued vision, and I pray they have an outpouring of support as they continue to operate this store.”

Kelly’s Crossroads is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The deli is closed on Sundays, but open the same hours the other six days of the week.

The store is located at 22068 Alabama Highway 22, at the intersection of Highway 22 and County Road 29 in the Richville community. Kelly’s Crossroads can be reached at 256-935-1422, and for updates visit the store’s Facebook page.