Hometown Convenience

Fill up your tank and your belly at Oak Grove General Store

When Bo Solomon took over the Oak Grove General Store about five years ago, he focused on what made the store great so he could make it even better. For nearly a decade, the homey, barn-shaped convenience store situated in the community of Oak Grove had drawn customers with its tasty country cooking and close proximity to home. But Bo knew it could be even better.

“We just tried to carry more products,” says Bo, who worked in the convenience store business for years before taking over Oak Grove. “We also branded with Shell gasoline, so we could offer the Shell discounts from rewards cards.”

The store’s staff also worked hard to be consistent with their offerings and reduced the hours of operation, which saved money and helped retain employees. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Bo says finding good employees grew increasingly difficult. “All businesses have to structure and run things differently these days,” he says. “You’ve got to do right by employees and do things better than before.”

Southern charms

With all the changes, Oak Grove General Store stayed true to its mission of providing a place to shop for supplies without a long drive to the city. The wood paneled store still offers inside dining, along with rocking chairs on the front porch and picnic tables outside.

“We sell gas, a line of snacks, some groceries and automotive items and beer and soft drinks,” Bo says. “We also have a full kitchen where we do breakfast, lunch and some evening foods to order.”

The kitchen has gained a following of locals and visitors alike, who show up for menu items that range from sausage and cheese biscuits to specialty items like fried egg, bologna and cheese sandwiches.

“We’re on Highway 52 East, so we have people traveling to work in Gallatin and Portland,” Bo says. “We try to have fuel at a good price, so when people stop for gas they’ll come in the store and say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you had this.’ The convenience store part complements the fuel, and the fuel compliments the store. The restaurant binds the whole thing together.”

The shop is open seven days a week, starting at 5 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customer care

Pleasing customers isn’t always easy, but Bo’s always going to keep trying — mostly because he simply likes the work. “I’m at an age where I could probably retire, but I like what I do,” he says. “For me, it’s just working with people. I enjoy the customers.”

During the pandemic, the store never shut down. The staff did its best to find solutions to the many problems the pandemic presented. “I feel like we did the best we could — we’re still doing the best we can to help our customers,” Bo says. “Nowadays, everyone expects really good customer service, and it can be hard to find, but I’ve got a group of people who do their best to help.”

Changes

In the near future, Bo says the store will expand its fuel line and upgrade its point of service system, making it easier for the customers and staff alike. “It will be faster and help them get in and out faster,” he says. “It’ll give us the ability for self-checkout, and it also helps us manage credit card purchases. We’re not scared to spend money, because that helps make money. We’re constantly changing, but those changes might be small things.”

In recent years, convenience stores have gone from a largely cash business to a largely credit and debit business — something that’s caused shops all over the country to shift how they handle purchases. “We have to keep everything up to date so we can manage it all correctly,” Bo says. “And we do partner with Shell. They’re going to help us make sure we do the right things for us to be successful and for them to be successful. That’s always a good thing for a small business to have that kind of support.”

Even though the technology behind businesses continues to change and evolve, some things will always stay the same. “I just like to concentrate on the customer,” Bo says. “If I do a good job at that, then they’ll come back.”