Kayla Macomber

Wright’s Grocery in Bald Knob provides its community with a home away from home. From the time the doors open until they are locked at night, the room is filled with small talk, laughter and friendship.
Ronnie and Sylvia Wright opened the store 46 years ago to help serve local tobacco farmers. There are few tobacco farmers left, but the store has endured. It means much more to the community than just a place to buy gas or snacks.
“This is the heart,” says Ed Henson, a regular customer.
The country store in Franklin County retains its old-time charm. Tabs are kept for regular customers and checks are cashed in the store. Customers help carry out tasks such as putting up groceries, restocking soft drink machines, making coffee and pumping gas for other customers.
“I like the store because I have a routine,&#8221; Ronnie says. &#8220;I do the same things every day.&#8221;
That routine was disrupted in 2013 when Sylvia had to go into the hospital for more than a week. After she got back home, Ronnie suggested they close the store for good and retire. The folks of Bald Knob were devastated.
“There was people crying, ‘Oh you can’t go, you need to open back up.’ It put a wrench in things,” says another regular customer, Michael Hughes.
“It was worse than weaning a calf when the sign is wrong,” daily customer Joe O’Connell says, referring to almanac predictions.
While the store was closed, Ronnie mowed his property, sat around and grew restless.
“I told him he was going to have to do something or you will have to go to the hospital, too,” Sylvia says.
They reopened after just 13 days.
If the store ever closed, Bald Knob &#8220;would be just like a ghost town,&#8221; says daily visitor Ray Stiver. Customers wouldn&#8217;t tolerate it, customer Willard &#8220;Junior&#8221; Meade says.
“If he decides to close again, we are going to take the keys and pay the light bill and stay,&#8221; he says.

The heart of Bald Knob