Bygone Era
>> Saturday, February 19, 2011
There's a place up the road, just outside of Burgaw called Burgaw Milling. It's an old building on the main highway just past where you turn off to go through town. The unfinished hardwood floors and dust laden shelves must have been grand at one time. While it's unkempt appearance may keep people away, others flock to shop as we witnessed this morning. This store, like it's counter part in town(Farmer's Supply), carries seed, feed and the like for area farmers to buy. And it attracts folks like us who just like it's old homey time feel.
So this morning, on the spur of the moment, we decided to ride up there and buy some lettuce seeds, onions and etc. We arrived to a steady stream of people going in and coming out. Walking through the front door, we were greeted by narrow aisles carrying bird seed, dog treats, leather gloves, etc and of course one fat resident cat. We approached the counter to see an older couple(not sure if they are married) working to help people with their orders. Onion sets, Silver Queen corn,and horse feed being sold to young and old customers alike. Seed was being measured and put in brown paper bags. Seed potatoes like Yukon Gold or red, sold by the lb. were being weighed on hanging scales. The couple diligently worked patiently with each person, taking their orders and making small talk. Money exchanged hands and familiar faces were called by name. Monty and I just stood there waiting our turn, taking in the old style business ways. The man kept a running tab of his sales on a piece of paper. There wasn't a cash register but instead a calculator and a laminated tax schedule. Money was placed in an old pull out wooden cash drawer. Finally it was our turn when all of a sudden it hit me. If they didn't have a cash register, then they probably didn't have a debit or credit card machine. So, I sheepishly asked the man if he accepted debit cards...and you guessed it....No....no machine....cash or check only.
Well, not all was lost. We did receive a planting guide for vegetables and were treated to business the old fashioned way. People waited patiently for their turn. No foot tapping or exasperated sighs. No foul language. Just old farmers and young horse people getting ready for their gardens or stocking up their farms. It was nice. Really nice.
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