Middlebrook General Store owners say goodbye

What is it about old country stores that is so comforting? Is it the worn wooden floors? The crackling fire in the potbelly stove on a cold winter day? The friendly greeting when walking in the door?

A country store is a little like the heart of a village ... and Middlebrook General Store fits that description. A meeting place ... a place to hear local news ... a gathering place for musicians on Friday nights ... and a place to pick up light groceries or a soft drink or lunch or Virginia-made goodies ... the atmosphere is heart-warming and welcoming.

Located in western Virginia, Middlebrook General Store, lovingly restored and brought back to life by Tom and Poppet Nelson, is losing its proprietors.

The Nelsons, who have lived in a restored historic house on the outskirts of the tiny village for the past 20 years, are moving away from the Shenandoah Valley. They have already sold the house and now think they have found a buyer for the store which was reopened in 2006 after careful research and hard work. Sitting prominently on Rt. 252 south of Staunton, it quickly became the village gathering place.

The Nelsons' next adventure? They are the new owner/operators of a bed-and-breakfast in Yorktown, Virginia, a place very familiar to this couple who have been visiting the area for years and are now buying the B&B that was their home away from home when in Yorktown.

Their ties to that historic area of Virginia go back to Tom Nelson's background. Rich in Virginia history, Tom's fourth great-grandfather, Thomas Nelson, Jr., was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, governor of Virginia after Thomas Jefferson, and Brigadier General of the Virginia Militia defeating Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Tom often reenacts in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and at other historical events, helping to bring American history to life dressed as Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Both Nelsons have been very involved in the community and will be missed by the many friends they made throughout the years. We have all agreed to stay in touch, even with plans to rent out their entire B&B for a group weekend.

With the country store set to close this Saturday, a small group of friends will celebrate that friendship this week at SWAC Girl's house with a cookout and send-off to two people who are assets to any community. It is Yorktown's gain and our loss.

Farewell.