Faulkner wrote, "The past is never dead." Fascinated by Tallapoosa County's history, I interviewed Terry Holdridge, a 58-year-old resident of East Lafayette Street, where the store is located. Today, it’s the school bus stop I’ve sat at many times. With over twenty years as a genealogist, I've explored and shared stories like his. My hope is you’ll feel you grew up on East Lafayette Street, like Terry.
That sense of community is why the Haddox's Mart sign tugs at my heart, even if I can't quite explain it. Drawn by a need to understand its allure, I followed my instincts, collecting the stories and family ties that were woven into this place. People like Terry moved me deeply, motivating me to share these memories with Tallapoosa History Genweb. In doing so, I found myself questioning why places like Haddox's Mart become anchors of meaning for so many of us.
My curiosity lingers as I pause beneath the shop’s old, rusted sign, its letters heavy with time yet still standing defiantly above the drive. A faded Coca-Cola sign keeps it company, both weathered but proud. Though the store has stood silent for more than a decade, the building quietly pulses with the laughter, hopes, and memories it once sheltered.
To place these memories in context, let's look back. In the 1980s, Lester's Store was just one of many on East Lafayette Street, and it was the last place to buy gas before reaching Dudleyville. None of the old stores remains open now, but each building testifies to the passage of time.
Terry Holdridge paints the store in vivid colors of the past—rows of nearly anything you could dream of buying, two sturdy gas pumps outside, and inside, a handful of penny candies and a screen door that slammed with such force it startled strangers and delighted locals.
Terry remembers every step and pedal toward the store—walking or biking in the summer heat, the air thick without air conditioning but made sweet by the anticipation of a glass-bottle Coke. He hoped, every visit, to be rewarded with a popsicle from the icy chest, the taste of freedom. Another icebox waited, its sliding glass lid cold on small hands, a treasure chest of frosty drinks.
If you have cherished memories or details about Mr. Lester or the store, please share them by emailing dadevilleexperience@gmail.com. Your stories are invaluable, and by contributing, you help keep these memories alive for future generations.
Robert H. Lester, a lifelong resident, is believed to have been the original owner. The store changed hands several times: it began as the Lester Store, then became Jennings Feed and Seed under Ricky Jennings, was later operated as Weaver Mart under George Weaver, and finally was owned by the Haddox's Family. Two other stores nearby included Snoop and Polly Willis’ (before Lester’s), and Mr. Clyde Jackson’s (after). I have not found the timeline of each ownership; maybe that is something you can help me with.
The store’s name changed with each owner: first, Robert Lester called it Lester Store. Next, Ricky Jennings renamed it Jennings Feed and Seed—the feed and seed were stored in a separate white building. George Weaver took over, calling it Weaver Mart, and later, the Haddox Family became the owners. Throughout these changes, the store retained its unique character, sometimes housing gum in the feed building, despite the presence of mice and snakes, which added a bit of humor.
Through Terry Holdridge’s memories, I aim to share the store’s 1980s atmosphere, its owners, and its role as the last gas stop on the way to Dudleyville. These recollections, along with details of the store's ownership changes, introduce the other nearby stores and their owners, helping us build a wider picture.
Your memories and insights are important. If you have any stories or information about these stores or their owners, please email us at dadevilleexperience@gmail.com. By contributing, you're helping to preserve Tallapoosa County’s history for all. And don’t forget to visit our Historical Museum in town. As Austin Kleon reminds us, “Be nice. (The world is a small town.)”
Source:
Terry Holdridge, Interview, 13 Sep 2025, Dadeville, Alabama, 82%, April Holdridge Tallapoosa County History. (n.d.). alabamahistory.net. https://www.alabamahistory.net/copy-of-talladega
That sense of community is why the Haddox's Mart sign tugs at my heart, even if I can't quite explain it. Drawn by a need to understand its allure, I followed my instincts, collecting the stories and family ties that were woven into this place. People like Terry moved me deeply, motivating me to share these memories with Tallapoosa History Genweb. In doing so, I found myself questioning why places like Haddox's Mart become anchors of meaning for so many of us.
My curiosity lingers as I pause beneath the shop’s old, rusted sign, its letters heavy with time yet still standing defiantly above the drive. A faded Coca-Cola sign keeps it company, both weathered but proud. Though the store has stood silent for more than a decade, the building quietly pulses with the laughter, hopes, and memories it once sheltered.
To place these memories in context, let's look back. In the 1980s, Lester's Store was just one of many on East Lafayette Street, and it was the last place to buy gas before reaching Dudleyville. None of the old stores remains open now, but each building testifies to the passage of time.
Terry Holdridge paints the store in vivid colors of the past—rows of nearly anything you could dream of buying, two sturdy gas pumps outside, and inside, a handful of penny candies and a screen door that slammed with such force it startled strangers and delighted locals.
Terry remembers every step and pedal toward the store—walking or biking in the summer heat, the air thick without air conditioning but made sweet by the anticipation of a glass-bottle Coke. He hoped, every visit, to be rewarded with a popsicle from the icy chest, the taste of freedom. Another icebox waited, its sliding glass lid cold on small hands, a treasure chest of frosty drinks.
If you have cherished memories or details about Mr. Lester or the store, please share them by emailing dadevilleexperience@gmail.com. Your stories are invaluable, and by contributing, you help keep these memories alive for future generations.
The store’s name changed with each owner: first, Robert Lester called it Lester Store. Next, Ricky Jennings renamed it Jennings Feed and Seed—the feed and seed were stored in a separate white building. George Weaver took over, calling it Weaver Mart, and later, the Haddox Family became the owners. Throughout these changes, the store retained its unique character, sometimes housing gum in the feed building, despite the presence of mice and snakes, which added a bit of humor.
Through Terry Holdridge’s memories, I aim to share the store’s 1980s atmosphere, its owners, and its role as the last gas stop on the way to Dudleyville. These recollections, along with details of the store's ownership changes, introduce the other nearby stores and their owners, helping us build a wider picture.
Your memories and insights are important. If you have any stories or information about these stores or their owners, please email us at dadevilleexperience@gmail.com. By contributing, you're helping to preserve Tallapoosa County’s history for all. And don’t forget to visit our Historical Museum in town. As Austin Kleon reminds us, “Be nice. (The world is a small town.)”
Source:
Terry Holdridge, Interview, 13 Sep 2025, Dadeville, Alabama, 82%, April Holdridge Tallapoosa County History. (n.d.). alabamahistory.net. https://www.alabamahistory.net/copy-of-talladega
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