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2012 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 56
Commending Garrett’s Grocery.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 19, 2012
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 27, 2012
 

WHEREAS, Garrett’s Grocery has been a fixture in the James City County community of Croaker for the better part of a century; the first Garrett’s Grocery store opened in 1909 and was owned by Benny Garrett, the great-great uncle of the current proprietor; and

WHEREAS, Garrett’s Grocery primarily serves residents of upper James City County, the Bruton District of York County, and those who live in far eastern New Kent County; during fishing season, the store’s customers include visiting anglers from as far away as Florida and New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, as is true in the life of any community or small business, unexpected events and unplanned developments occur; Garrett’s Grocery is no exception, as the country store burned in 1943, and owner Cleveland Garrett, the great-grandfather of the current owner, did not reopen the store until 1949; and

WHEREAS, the next major shift in Garrett’s Grocery’s fortunes happened 50 years ago when Floyd and Ernestine Garrett, who ran the general store from 1954 until 1976, moved the business to its current location, just seven-tenths of a mile from the original site, which was in the path of Interstate 64; and

WHEREAS, Floyd and Ernestine Garrett remained faithful proprietors of Garrett’s Grocery until 1976, when their son, Michael, took over; he stayed at the helm of the jam-packed country store and gas station, which is close to the York River, for 30 years, retiring in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Garrett’s Grocery remained in the family as Michael Garrett’s nephew, Steven White, took his uncle’s place at the counter, selling groceries, gas, and other necessities; he provides a service that has changed little since his great-great uncle opened the store more than 100 years ago; and

WHEREAS, Steven White, who is the grandson of Floyd and Ernestine Garrett, is committed to strengthening the village of Croaker, not only with his business, but also in community affairs; he is active in his church, in river clean-up efforts, and in historical associations; and

WHEREAS, Garrett’s Grocery store is still going strong 50 years after its July 4, 1961, reopening, and its ties to Croaker have only strengthened; the store sponsors teams and events, including a notable hay wagon float, the SS Croaker, which was built to resemble the ships that arrived at Jamestown in 1607; and

WHEREAS, the parade float SS Croaker, whose construction was jointly sponsored by Garrett’s Grocery and the Chickahominy Ruritan Club, was used in many community events, including at First Landing State Park’s 400th anniversary commemoration of the 1607 settlement of Jamestown; and

WHEREAS, Garrett’s Grocery has sponsored a bowling team, volleyball team, youth basketball team, and Croaker Caroling; currently, it is a sponsor of the James City County Fair, and a United States Marines Toys for Tots drive is held each Christmas season at the store; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Garrett’s Grocery for its longtime commitment to and support of the greater James City County community, not the least of which is the village of Croaker; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Steven White, the fifth-generation owner of Garrett’s Grocery, as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations for maintaining and running a successful small business whose roots run deep in the community.