Brown's Store stocks it all

Since 1965, Fred and Doretta Brown have run Brown's Country Store, pleasing everyone from children to farmers with their unique inventory that includes such things as candy, pipe fittings, horseshoes and suspenders.

'We try to stock the hard-to-get items when it comes to hardware that the farmers or timber guys might need,' said Fred Brown.

The original store was founded by 'Blind' Jake Miller sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s, according to Doretta Brown.

Her grandfather, Charlie Mowry, later bought Miller's store, which used to be in the bottom part of the building facing the post office.

'I know my dad was born in the old store, and he was born in 1902,' said Doretta Brown. 'My uncle (Ray Mowry) was five or six years old when they moved the store up here.'

Later Ray Mowry became partners with his father (Charlie Mowry), and when Charlie passed away in 1965, Fred and Doretta bought the store.

'We've probably tripled our inventory since we bought the place,' said Fred Brown. 'When we first started running the business a pair of Wolverine shoes sold for $12.95. Now they're $100 or more.'

The Browns live in an apartment behind the store, making the commute to work nonexistent.

'I like running my own store because you don't have to run to work or fight traffic,' said Fred Brown.

Doretta Brown has her own reason why owning a local store is enjoyable.

'The best thing about running the store are the friends you make,' she said.

'Our customers are friends that we've made throughout the years,' said Fred Brown. 'We have people that used to come in as kids who are bringing in their grandkids now.'

'We're here for everybody,' he said. 'People come in that have problems and they want to talk and we listen.'

The store hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., making it convenient for the early rising farmers that may need an emergency part quick. They are also open on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

'We mostly run the store ourselves, but our kids help us if we have to go somewhere or do something,' said Fred Brown.

The store also offers deli meats from Alfery's, eggs, pre-made hoagies, ice cream, bread, hornet spray, plastic sheeting, horseshoeing tools, tractor pins and chains.

The item that most of the customers have been attracted to one time or another over the years, is the huge selection of penny candy behind a glass counter.

'Every Tuesday I have to make out the candy order,' said Doretta Brown. 'You'd think I'd get used to it after doing it for so many years, but I never do.'

Area resident Roxann Snyder admits the store is definitely convenient and 'my grandchildren would be here everyday if they could, just for the penny candy.'

Resident Jim Coffman has a 12-year-old grandson, Dylan Knapp, who is from Somerset.

'When he comes to see Grandpap, we always have to stop at Brown's to get candy,' said Coffman.

Although the candy is enticing, the Browns' granddaughter, Amanda Fabian, says her favorite thing about the store is 'grammie and grandpap.'

'Grandma's the name and spoiling's the game,' said the 8-year-old.

Amanda Fabian and her 6-year-old sister, Sami Fabian, are at the store at least three days a week, 'but we'd love to be here seven,' she said.