One hundred years ago this year, a young man from Cowee started what is known now as one of the most treasured living stories of our community. It was March 3, 1925, when 25-year-old Tom Rickman opened the doors of his grocery store.
The actual building was constructed by John Hall in 1895, and it was owned by W.H. Bryson for 30 years before it was sold to Tom.
For more than six decades, Tom and his wife, Fannie, made their living serving the people of the Cowee community, offering goods, tools, and groceries, until Tom’s death in 1994. Rickman Store on Cowee Creek Road just past Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center, became a place where everybody was welcome to chat, play a game of checkers, or claim a warm spot close to the potbelly stove.
Eva Bryson was his first customer, and Tom was always proud to share with visitors that his first business transaction was not with money but by bartering three eggs for a spool of thread.
Since the purchase of the store by Mainspring Conservation Trust in 2007, three eggs and a spool of thread has become the logo that represents the volunteerism of the Friends of the Rickman Store.
Restoring and preserving this historical place is a project of love for past, present, and future generations.
From the second weekend in May until the second weekend in December, Rickman Store is open on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can view historical displays, purchase antiques, locally made crafts, and regionally authored books, enjoy sweet and savory snacks and refreshments, and listen to bluegrass jam sessions.
We celebrate with you this first centennial of the Rickman Store, and we invite you to volunteer with us to make this 100th year really special and memorable. To volunteer or for more information, contact Elena Carlson at (828)369-5595, or send us a message on the Friends of the Rickman Store Facebook page.
Pictured top: THE STORE is located at 251 Cowee Creek Road, about six miles north of Franklin.