Attention Troy shoppers: EW’s open for business

Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:07 pm
By: Donna Ryder Messenger Associate Editor

By DONNA RYDER
Messenger Associate Editor
Just over two weeks ago, Troy lost its only grocery store to fire. Today, E.W. James is back in business.
Troy Mayor Jimmie Hart was pleased to announce at the meeting of the board of aldermen Monday night that the store has reopened in the old NAPA store across the street from Obion County Central High School.
He said the store has a full line of groceries, just not the same wide variety the older store had. He added E.W. James has reserved one corner of the store for use as a Subway restaurant.
“I’ve got a great deal of respect for Lee Ann James and the whole organization,” Hart said, adding they worked night and day to get the store ready to open in such a short time frame.
He said he was able to help them get three-phase electricity in the building, which was required for the coolers.
“It worked out good,” he said. “It’s good for Troy and it’s good for the people who shop here.”
The mayor said the old store will be torn down and rebuilt using the same store frontage line as the Dollar General, which was damaged in the fire. He said it will extend back another 30 feet onto property owned by the town and being leased by building owner Earl Bell. The lease is good until 2059.
The extension involves a drainage ditch and utility relocation. Hart said he does not have a dollar figure on the cost. “It will be for the town’s benefit and the benefit of the community to do what we can to get them back into business as quick as we can,” the mayor said.
The board agreed and informed the mayor to proceed.
Hart said the Dollar General store has not reopened yet, but it won’t be much longer.
In other business, the board:
• Agreed to give $1,200 to Lee Cleek to use to buy toys for the annual Troy Police Department Children’s Christmas Party. It will be held Dec. 18.
Mrs. Cleek said she buys the toys wholesale and gives the same style toy to every boy and every girl. Toys which are donated are used as door prizes. Every child also gets a sack of apples and oranges.
She added the families of the children get to attend and are treated to hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks.
• Heard the loft at the police department has been insulated and enclosed. This should cut down on the heating bill this winter.
Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by e-mail at dryder@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 11.17.09