(Ronceverte, WV): If one is looking for a spot to find good local produce at a good price, there is a local wholesale and retail store in town that promises that, as well as a refreshing trip back to a much simpler time.
Owned today by husband and wife Heath and Nikki Bennett, Tri-County Wholesale Produce sits off of Edgar Avenue, in what was originally the “Elmore’s Feed Store” building, built in downtown Ronceverte in the early 1900s. As shoppers head in the doors of this establishment today, they are greeted by rows of locally produced beans, tomatoes, jams, jellies, and syrups, just to name a few. Fridges full of local cheeses and meats line the walls, and there is even a table for bulk candy, advertised for $4.99/lb.
Originally owned by Leroy and Colleen Erskine, Tri-County Wholesale Produce has been serving the community for over 40 years, a tradition that Ronceverte native Heath Bennett says he was ready and willing to carry on for his hometown. “I was born and raised here”, Heath recalls.” I swam in the river and played ball on the island all my life. Ronceverte has always been good to me, so I am returning the favor for Ronceverte”.
After the Erskines retired, the Bennett family stepped in, and have been running the operation for 23 years now, since April of 2003. Originally, the store was located up what locals know as “Ronceverte Hill”, but a decade ago was moved by the Bennetts into the historic building it sits in today.
As the Andy Griffith show plays on a black and white TV in the background of the store, the Bennetts talk fondly of some of the locals that play large roles in the store’s supply. “We get a lot of our meats from Spring Creek Superior Meats, LLC out of Frankford, WV.” Heath says. Nikki goes on to add, “Hidden Creek Farms, the Amish community in Hillsboro, WV is another supplier, and we’ve got a guy in town, Wes Hylton, who’s sourdough bread is quite the hit among our customers”.
While the Bennetts continue to list off their regular suppliers of the business, one of them walks right through the door. Joe Holliday of Organ Cave, carries in several jars of raw milk, freshly expressed from her and her husband Jeff’s dairy cows that morning.
A customer walks in shortly after, and Heath knows immediately what she is after when he spots her. “She’s here for the Mr. Stripey tomatoes, guarantee it”, he quips. Everyone around chuckles as the woman clenches her fist in a gesture of success, says “yes”, and starts chucking the brightly-colored tomatoes into her shopping bag.
In the author’s personal opinion, the longer you linger in this store and talk to these folks, the longer you want to stay there. As the Andy Griffith whistling theme song starts up again on the TV, Heath opens a screen door to the side of the main shop, stepping into a small back room with a freshly brewed pot of coffee. Several middle to late-aged men sit back in a few folding chairs, doing nothing but shooting the breeze with each other, coffee mugs in hand. “These are the local loafers”, Heath remarks with a laugh. He explains that his shop has become more than just a place to buy things, but a space for community, somewhere where locals can gather for good conversation, and to check in on each other.
One of these regular visiting “loafers”, Donald Dowdy, reveals how when he was recovering from kidney surgery, the store became his refuge, a way to get out of the house.”Monday through Saturday, I still come in to chat” he says. “Everybody creeps in around around 10 AM, and we stay in here until the fog lifts and it is time to go mow the grass” (during the summer, anyway). Heath mentions that their oldest loafer is Elbert Vanburen, a 93 year old local who visits the shop every morning, and is a walking history book for the town of Ronceverte. “I’ve learned more history from these men back here than I learned in school”, Heath claims. Every Christmas now, the Bennett family holds a gathering with their “loafer club”, and Donald Dowdy says he is personally honored to make the biscuits for the festivities every year.
As far as goods go, Tri-County Produce also carries renowned food brands like Walnut Creek, Dutch Kettle, and Spud’s BBQ. Nikki Bennett also mentions how her sister-in-law supplies the store with handmade soaps, lotions, candles, and simmer-pot ingredients. One can find fresh spring water on the shelves too, along with bags of deer corn, bird seed, and pet food. Open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 4 PM, and Saturdays from 8 AM until 3PM, Heath states, “we have really made this a one-stop shop for everyone’s needs”.
The Bennett family is sure to mention their fateful co-workers as well, which include Tina Ford, Emily Spencer, Isaiah Spencer, Will Massie, and Ralph, their delivery driver. Tri-County Produce today delivers to Monroe, Summers, Pocahontas, and Greenbrier county schools. Will Massie personally says his favorite part about working for Tri-County Produce is quite simply, “the good people”. For Tina Ford, it is “the people, and also the chocolate milk we have here. That is really good too”.
If one is seeking a good product, a good deal, and a good conversation, Tri-County Produce is the place to be. One can bet they will leave with more than just a few of those “Mr. Stripey” tomatoes, but an appreciation for good ole’ folks like this in the Greenbrier Valley, who are truly the backbone of our community.
