The Country Store is Alive and Well in Rodeo , New Mexico

Another page in the art of surviving in the high desert . This is about our local Country store , I won't demean it by calling it a convenience store , those atrocities of city living are for folks too lazy or too simple to go to a store to get what they need . This is our lifeline to make it thriugh the days without driving a hundred miles or so to get basics or suddenly needed items . The owner Jim Villa a native born westerner , [ his family the Noriega's were among the first of the ten pioneer families around Scottsdale Arizona ] in other words his roots in the west run deep and his knowledge of the lifestyle and what's needed are extensive . In fact his business card pretty much tells the story about his place ...

Looks like you can get just about anything ! In fact you can , a polite request generally gets a polite response , if there is something you need in particular , Jim will more than likely be able to get it for you , most likely not in the next few minutes but , soon enough to get the job done . His position behind the counter [and everywhere else on the property ] gives him access to just about everyone in the town and the valley to some extent . His store is much like the country stores of our parent's day , people stop , talk , get some necessary item , give out some information , perhaps leave a message or post a note on the bulletin board .

With the huge parking lot available it's not surprising to find a flea market there on weekends , sometimes during the week .

 

 

Besides , the incredible setting between the Chiricahuas and the Peloncillo's  , the front of the building with it's veranda like shade the length of the building make for a good spot to sit and take a break , tell a few stories and catch up on the local news . Kind of a customs clearing if you happen to stop , like some of us do nearly every day .

 To get to the business stuff , Jim has the store open 7 days a week Mon through Fri. it's 7 to 7 , weekends Sat. is 8 to 6 and Sun is 10 to 5 . Alot of hours , and a lot of work to keep it all together and operating , somehow it all clicks together and like I've said about a few other places "you might not find everthing you want , but you'll find everything you need " , got a hunger on you they'll fix you up a sandwich or pizza , does breakfast too , and we aren't talking some cardboard crap from some distributor a hundred miles away ! They fix them in front of you and everything I've had there is good ! Fresh made , good size portions , and the price is definetly right ! To give you an idea of the selection of what's available  , take a look at this ...

Like I said a real country store ! As we used to say in hillbilly land ,everything from hand grenades to horse shoes ! An added attraction is there are even a few RV spots with full hook ups available , whether you need a night or a month a good spot to park and rest . The gas and diesel available  in this long lonely stretch of road between I-10 and Douglas is welcome too .

All in all , here's a spot in the middle of the valley where western roots and tradition have settled in . Jim manages to support local business , community events , provide services , fuel , and a spot to sit in the shade , while keeping a smile on his face , and make a living at the same time . It's not likely most folks would even want to invest the hours of labor let alone the money to make a place like this happen , so if nothing else , from one traveler , many thanks !

I stopped on the way back from the mail box and had to get this picture too , the front of the store , I think it sums it up nicely , may go there now and see if the coffee pot is still on and sit in the shade  for a bit ....

Stay tuned ......