July 13, 2024 – Delta, IA – Rarely would a dated corner grocery store be highlighted on a tourist map but this grocery is a historic gem for those who choose to stop and chat.
Dixie stood behind the counter at the corner Delta Grocery in Delta, Iowa. The shop is definitely a throwback to the 1950s and ‘60s with hardwood floors, narrow aisles, and a mix of whatnot. It reminded me of when mom would send a handwritten note for the clerk to sell the kid a pack of smokes. And that worked.
Dixie has been at the store for over 40 years. She’s held a number of jobs in town. She was the clerk. She also had a stint as the treasurer and then back to the clerk’s position.
”It was definitely hard to keep everyone happy,” she said.
The hometown grocery is my new favorite. It overwhelmed the senses, like spinning in circles then trying to get your balance; where to start as it was all so amazing. The history and a smidge of hoarding… but in a nice grandmotherly way.
Dixie would be the gold standard grandma when it came to collecting Campbells Soup labels or Post Cereal box tops for school fundraisers for athletic equipment.
I found the fruit & vegetable section in the back. The refrigerator case that once held choice heads of lettuce and ripe oranges now served as kind of a catch-all for dry goods like a box of shiny silver Christmas ornaments, a book, and collector plates up top.
Classic artwork of old signage could be found behind shelving and partly covered by an advertisement clock for Prairie Farms – ‘A Taste of Quality.’
The Delta Grocery was a one-stop shop like a blended family with buttons from Hobby Lobby, a yard stick from Ace Hardware and plenty of representation from Dolly Madison, Blue Bunny ice cream and Twizzlers. Dixie was also health conscious as a basket of yellow bananas sat at the front counter.
Dixie knew where everything was and everything was in its place. When the front door clanged customers generally asked for one of two things… a pack of smokes or a cold drink.
The handwritten list of cigarette price was posted next to school pictures of her smiling grandkids.
There were vintage signs. ‘Misty – Slim & Sassy’ read the cigarette advertisement.
A man came in and asked for 3 packs of Marlboro. “That’ll be $30,” said Dixie. After he left she said, “It’s those who can afford it the least that buy it the most.”
There was a yellowed newspaper clipping of a neighbor who celebrated a birthday.
Dixie was surrounded by things that were important to her and she felt right at home.
The large hat was a talking point. The brim was nearly 3 feet in every direction. You could huddle a family of six out of the rain with that one hat.
”We’ve probably had more fun with that big floppy hat than anyone ever intended,” she said.
Rarely would a dated corner store be highlighted on a tourist map but this grocery is a historic gem for those who choose to stop and chat.
Read more stories from the road at theBiKeWriTer.com
