I grew up in South Rome on Harper Avenue about a block-and-a-half from the store. Mr. Yarbrough was a personal friend of my family. Yes, our groceries came from the Howells.
Mr. Yarbrough would come to the door of his customers each day, taking orders for their needs of the day to be delivered later by Tater or Josh. If mother ordered a chicken, Tater would wring the neck, hang it in the basement and mother would do the rest. Fresh produce grown locally was always available in season.
In the meat department there was a chopping block and wood shavings on the floor. Many times when I went to the store for Mother, Mr. Braziel the butcher, when slicing, would hand me a slice of dried beef to munch on.
We had a dog, Bozo. Bozo and Tater’s love was mutual. Bozo would always jump into the back of the delivery truck. One day, as Tater approached, Bozo came too close and was run over. Tater cried along with mother and all the Briggs girls.
Mr. Yarbrough closed the store when he became the personnel manager at General Electric. As I remember, Tater died of cancer and Josh became associated with Daniel’s Funeral Home.
How sad to think that this landmark so important to Old South Romans is scheduled to be demolished. I do hope that some means will be found to utilize this building as part of the new school era.
Thanks to the Rome News-Tribune for publishing pictures from the past. Recently, there were photos made near the “House Home” on South Broad Street, with the Presbyterian church in the background. In the photos, there were so many faces and names I remember. I am sure that many Romans were unaware that a Presbyterian church was located midway between West Main and Butler Street on South Broad. The church was no longer active when I was young, but my sisters and I attended Girl Scout meetings there.
Thanks for the memories. I will continue to look forward to more pictures from the past.
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