By: Betty Lee
House’s Market in Bickmore closed its doors on Tuesday, Dec. 13 for that last time. Colene and BA House have run this little county store in Clay County for 43 years. The House’s have become family to so many in the area and many expressed sadness and happiness knowing that the store had sold. Sad in ways of not being able to stop in and be welcomed with a smile or stories from years past by Colene and BA. Happy in ways that now, with children and grandchildren grown, BA and Colene can enjoy retirement and each other.
“I have seen these people seven days a week, sometimes 2-3 times a day every day since I moved to WV as a teenager. I carried my newborns in on the way home from the hospital to meet them, they are family. I know it’s not like they are leaving but I won’t see them every single day and that makes me sad,” said Tasha Wray
Jessica Davis recalls her childhood in the store saying, “Brittany and I built homes out of 12 and 24 packs of pop, raced carts down the aisle, rolled giant snowballs in front of the store, ate potato chips over a kerosene heater with Colene (she said they tasted better warmed up) hid in beer coolers to scare people, best childhood ever.”
Many can speak on how the House’s made you feel like family when you walked through their doors. They have definitely made a positive impact on the Clay County community and will be missed in many ways. Wishing you the best in your retirement. Thank you for serving Clay County for 43 years.