Roger and Pauline Williams pause for a photo behind the counter at Williams Grocery. The couple recently closed their store (April 1) after about 26 years in business.

Williams Grocery closes after 26 years; owners share memories

After 26 years of serving the community, Williams Grocery on Shawtown Road has closed. Roger and Pauline Williams opened the business in February 1984, providing a range of items ranging from standard groceries and animal feed to gas.

For the first five years, the store opened at 6 a.m. and stayed open until 8 p.m., or as late at 10 p.m., according to Roger.

As the time went on and the economy worsened, Pauline said things "started going downhill," noting the two had to use their Social Security to attempt to keep the store afloat. They even let their daughter Teresa Soit try her hand at running the business for a couple of years.

Unfortunately, things didn't work out and the Williams found themselves back behind the cash register.

Changes

Through the years, the business had slight changes, including hours of business and the addition of a garage.

For the first five years, Williams Grocery was open seven days a week. At the end of that time frame, Pauline said they went to six days of serving the community.

Pauline remarked, "We started out seven days a week, we did it seven days a week for 5 years…we were going to close on Sundays just to have time for ourselves."

Of the garage, Roger commented that opened about two years after the shop opened.