KING — What Hugh Gentry will miss most about running the family business on Main Street is the same thing he's loved about it since he was a youngster.
"It's the people," he said. "I've just enjoyed seeing the customers that we've had for years and years and years, and it's a joy to find new customers."
After 87 years in business, Gentry's Store will be closing at the end of November. Gentry put the building at 117 N. Main St. on the market this week.
It will be quite the end of an era for historic downtown King.
The store was founded in 1937 by Hugh's father, Holton Gentry.
Hugh recalled that even during high school when he worked at the store, customers were a highlight. And that's what drew him back to the business after he graduated college.
"After my dad passed, I just took over and have been running it ever since," Gentry said.
The store weathered some changes over the years.
"In 1937 it was feed, seed and groceries," Gentry said. "In 1960 they sold the grocery business."
The location was then a Western Auto run by the Gentrys until the auto parts company was disbanded in the early 2000s.
Gentry kept on, transitioning to selling lawnmower parts and general hardware supplies.
In 2017, the store celebrated it's 80th birthday. Late Mayor Jack Warren issued a proclamation recognizing the store’s longevity and value to the community.
At that time, Gentry told The Stokes News that he was thankful for the 80 years and that he knew he couldn’t continue the family business forever.
When the store's manager, Kenneth Bowman, decided to retire this year due to health reasons, the time was right for Gentry to close.
"I don't want to do his job, so it's time to retire," Gentry said with a laugh. "He's just been a great employee, and he knows the business and he knows how to take care of the customers, especially as far as lawn mower parts go."
Bowman has worked at Gentry's Store for 43 years, since he was a senior in high school.
"I thought this would just be a pit stop but we decided to open a repair shop," Bowman said.
Gentry sent Bowman to Forsyth Tech for a small engine degree.
"I had piddled with small engines since I was a little kid," said Bowman.
The repair shop at Gentry's ran for 31 years and closed in 2013.
Gentry said he didn't know Bowman would work at the store for 43 years when he hired him.
"I had no clue that I'd be here that long," Gentry said. "We worked it out together over the years."
Bowman will retire Nov. 1 and says he too will miss the interactions.
"I love meeting the people," he said. "Some of our customers are so interesting, customers that we've had longer than I've been with [Gentry's Store], and still coming in and buying from us, talking about Hugh and his dad back in the days.
"I love to hear some of the stories."
One time, scenes from a movie were filmed in the store: The 1998 film "The Patron Saint of Liars" (which was shot at Vade Mecum) starred Dana Delaney.
A photograph of Gentry and the actress in front of the store is taped with a magazine clipping to a shelf in the back of the store as part of a larger display of local history.
The customers unsurprisingly appreciate Gentry and Bowman.
Mark Mabe came into the store on June 6 with a handful of parts that needed repair or replacement. Gentry answered some questions and went to the back for a part.
"I hate to see them go," said Mabe, who owns a heating and air conditioning business and has been coming in to Gentry's about weekly since 1980.
"They're wonderful people, always have been," he said. "You don't get service like this anymore."
Gentry returned with a replacement part and Mabe joked: "You can't stick around for another 100 years?"
The bond between the community and Gentry's Store is strong, and so is the bond between Bowman and Gentry.
"Probably what I'll miss most is coming in and talking with Hugh every morning," Bowman said. "I mean — 43 years, side by side."
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