Bryan, your discretionary time is probably more limited than mine, BUT, if you have any at all, why not consider going to the local archives, library or near by residents (the older ones) to find out what you can about Smith's General Store and blending that material in with a page or two of your recollections during the '50s and getting it published in the local newspaper in the area of the store?

You might just flush out enough interest among the local denizens in that area to start a drive to restore the old store. Maybe you could even find a local artist who would contribute a bit of his or her time, after seeing what is left of the store, to depict in, say, a pen and ink sketch what the old store might have looked like in its hey days - a pic complete with the old timers spitting and whittling and so on.

I'll bet there are many old timers who still live around there who would love to contribute their time and, perhaps, some funds to such a project. That would be a terrific, fun project I just hate to think you are running around with any free time on your hands, so, I thought I would contribute that idea.

I smell an historic marker in the offing, Bryan.