Long-time grocery store in Thorsby closing after 75 years

The long-time neighborhood grocery store in Thorsby officially closed its doors on May 30 after more than 75 years in business.

“It is just time,” Mizzell’s Super Saver grocery store owner Chester Mizzell said. “Everybody needs a little change in life, and it was time for that change.”

The grocery store, located on Montgomery Avenue in Thorsby, is the oldest continually operated grocery store in Chilton County, according to Mizzell.

“We have never moved locations,” Mizzell said. “For as long as I can remember this has always been a grocery store. A lot of stores end up moving to a different place after so many years, but we have always been here.”

Mizzell purchased the grocery store from Harold Mims in October 1993, but the store had operated under the ownership of Mims since the 1940s.

 

June

Peach season kicks off

The rows of peaches that lined the front of Durbin Farms Market were the main attraction of the annual Peach Season Kick-Off on June 5.

The 7th annual kick-off event hosted food samples from Durbin’s, face painting and food vendors.

Representatives from the Chilton County Extension office and Alabama Family Rights Association were also in attendance, educating people on their businesses.

“We stop every year on the way to the beach,” Jessica Franklin, of Tennessee, said. “We always have to

Not only is Durbin’s receiving its usual business, but they have also increased sales recently due to fruit production, according to owner Colby Jones.

“This season is starting off great,” Jones said. “We’ve had peaches for about three weeks—earlier than ever. The early season is showing in the sales.”

Colby and his sister, Lindsey Jones Simmons, are working alongside their dad, Danny Jones, to run the business.

“Our goal is to exceed last year’s sales. We’re pretty confident that we’ll do that this year,” Jones said. “This season is going to be wild.”