Until the late 1970s, Ferris Food Store stood at the corner of Clay Street and Spring Street in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The store, a square box with large windows, was smaller than a 7-11. It was there, during the war (World War II), that Mr. Ferris and my Grandma conspired to commit crimes.
My Grandma (Miss Mae) would hand her grocery list to Mr. Ferris and discretely nod. Mr. Ferris would diligently work the aisles to fill her bag. He would hand her the bag with a discrete nod and she would pay.
Grandma made the 3/10 of a mile walk to Ferris’ from the 1930s through the 1970s. On visits in the 1970s, my father and I would accompany her to the store. It was pleasant time warp, “How are you today, Miss Mae?”
Grandma still took her grocery list to Mr. Ferris (the son) in the center of the store. Mr. Ferris used a reach extender to retrieve groceries from high shelves. From years of use, the solid wood butcher block was shaped like an ocean wave.
In 1916, Piggly Wiggly, began the era of self-service supermarkets. When my father offered to drive Grandma to the Piggly Wiggly, she politely declined.
Leaving Ferris after one our many trips, I discretely asked my father, “Why does Grandma only go to Ferris Food Store?”
My father stopped walking, looked back into Ferris’, looked at Grandma, and discretely told me why.
“During the war sugar was rationed - you could only buy it with a ration ticket. Mr. Ferris sold your Grandma sugar when she had no tickets.”
Today is National Grandparents Day. What do you remember about a Grandparent? Share a story!
