The rumors are true! Ron and Peggie Turner have sold the store! But fear not, the legendary Fulks Run Grocery is still in the family!
As the 3rd family owners, Ron and Peggie Turner have owned and run Fulks Run Grocery since 1996. A landmark store – it was first started by Ron’s father, Garnett Turner in 1949, bought by Garnett’s brother, Miles, in 1969, then on to Ron.
After 28 years, having put their heart, soul, and time, into the grocery, Ron and Peggie came to the hard decision to retire. They have a grandchild now, enjoy spending time in their beloved Maine cabin, and have made the store strong enough to stand on its own.
Even though customers and friends are sad to see the change, change is hard, everyone is happy that the shop will continue on in family hands.
Pat and Dan Ritchie’s son, Chad Ritchie, will be taking over the reins. Pat Turner Ritchie is known as the local historian of the area, and it seemed a natural fit for Chad to take over. When the opportunity came up, he jumped at the chance. Although he lives in Charlotte, NC, with wife, Anna, and two small children, he has been spending weekends and days off here in Fulks Run, learning the day to day running of the establishment, along with what it takes to run the ham house.
For the past several months, you may have noticed another new face in the store. Jared Bowser is now the store manager. He is also the partner of Fran Ritchie, daughter of Pat and Dan, sister of Chad. Still keeping it in the family! Jared has extensive retail experience and well as a farm to table background and is a perfect fit as the new everyday friendly face, who enjoys getting to know the customers and keeping the familiarity that Fulks Run Grocery is known for.
The other employees that people have come to know are still there. The familiar faces are Diana Custer, Jon Kyger, Grace and Julia Trumbo, Emily Fulk, and Connie Miles. Unseen, but behind the scenes in the Ham House, are long timers Brandon Freed and Shawn Parker.
As the takeover moves forward, there may be some changes, little by little. Ron and Peggie have built the store and its inventory to a level that customers expect and look forward to. There is something for everyone, including first time and returning tourists, and locals who have been coming here for years. The favorite “shamich” will always remain! So will the popular Fried Ham Fridays. Their worldwide reputation for their sugar-cured country hams will never change. Diana’s Pimento cheese, ham salad, and macaroni salad are still on the menu. All the locally sourced food items customers have become used to will still be stocked, plus some new finds. And don’t worry, the much-loved Polish Pottery will still be available. As of this writing, a buying trip was in the works to bring home some new inventory.
Chad says “When I started to hear some of the chatter that Ron and Peggie were thinking of retiring, I was very excited for the opportunity to potentially buy the business from them. Ever since I was little, I remember PaPa running the ham house and Great Uncle Miles running the store and coming down here. One winter break, when I was in college, I helped cure in the ham house. All points of my life had ham involved! Every meal we have had as a family, has involved country ham! Both Anna and the kids are very excited about this!”
“Part of what made me say yes, was the great team that Ron and Peggie have, and our first goal is just to continue the success that they have had. So far, it has been a seamless transition, and I have been very pleased with the first 3 weeks. Jared Bowser will be the general manager up front, and we can just plug in to what they already have going on. He will be the day to day, I will be up here periodically. It’s a big benefit that Ron and Peggie live nearby, with their expertise. I remember as a kid, PaPa (Garnett) seemed to know everybody. Now, Ron and Peggie seem to know everybody! They are a great resource to have. I don’t mind if it’s known as Ron and Peggie’s place for the next 10 years!”
Since the store has been a great resource for local history and genealogy, thanks to Chad’s mom, Pat Turner Ritchie, Ron said “We joke in the family, that the first true change in the store you might see is the family history section is this big, now it’s going to be THIS big!”, stretching his arms wide!
Pat and Dan Ritchie have been working hard on cleaning the basement of the store, which used to be Garnett and Lena’s home below the store. At one time, a section of it was known as Jo’s Gymette- a gym with equipment for local women to use. Some of the old-time equipment is still there! It has, over the years, turned into a storage space, and they are working hard at sorting through the memorabilia and sprucing it up. Eventually, it will be used again for store inventory.
As the work progresses, you will still see Ron and Peggie at the store, helping with the seamless transition, that so far, is going really well. Coincidentally, the passing of the torch to Chad, happened during the 75th year of operation of Fulks Run Grocery. Sometime in the spring, there will be an anniversary celebration, stay tuned!
Fulks Run Grocery can be found on Facebook under Turner Hams & Fulks Run Grocery.
www.fulksrungrocery.com
11441 Brocks Gap Road, Fulks Run, VA 22830 540-896-7487
Open Monday through Saturday – 9am-5pm
