I first photographed this store in February 2010 and am just as fascinated by it today as I was then. It was established circa 1900 by Robert L. “Mr. Bob” Dickey, of Dickey Farms Peaches fame. C. F. Hays, the grandfather of Cary Hays, the current owner, began running the store for Dickey in 1934 and soon purchased the business from him. Cary, whose full time job is with the postal service, still opens the store on weekends from April-August each year but the hours aren’t set in stone. His father, C. F. “Buddy Hays III, revived the operation around 1969-1970 and both men have a real passion for the family business and its place in the history of the peach packing town of Musella.
So many times I see modern “country stores” that aren’t worth their salt, but this one is authentic, as the photos below illustrate.
Cary painstakingly stocks the store with staples and various sundries and country store memorabilia authentic to the store’s history.
Some would call it a hobby but I see it as an important link to the past. It’s a miracle places like this still exist. Please take the time to stop by if you find yourself anywhere near Musella. Buy an ice cold Nu-Grape or Coca-Cola in a bottle, or have some ice cream from the chest freezer.
Cary Hayes has updated the outside signage but it still looks great. I’ll add those photos soon.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
Always a great visit during peach season. Peaches at Dickey’s, then across the street for BBQ at the old Country Store.
Never disappoints.
Love this little store. Just visited again today. It really is like stepping back in time. To think of all the people over the last 120+ years who have stepped through the same doorway is just so awe inspiring. Love all of the antique supplies & cash register. Particularly the old wrapping papers for gifts & bread. They must be so old & still look new on their spools & all the threads. They have great BBQ & stew too. Definitely worth making the trip.
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I remember Sunday drives as a girl. Daddy would ask, “Who wants a belly wash?” Those were his words as we headed to one of many country stores that dotted the then outskirts of Jacksonville, Florida. We would head into the little store, and I can still smell the scent of the air in there. We would head the the red Coke chest for a drink. For me, it was a peach Nehi, and peanuts or cookie planks. I need to go to Musella. I want a bellywash!
Wonderful memories, Patty! Thank you for sharing.
My grandmother lives near Musella in Mauk and her mother was a Hays (Fannie Lee Cindy Hayes, daughter of Lambert (L. B.) Hays and Nancy Jane (Janie) Pike. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some connection. I’ve never visited Musella but now I most definitely will. Plus, I love me an authentic country store!! Thanks, Brian. I love this site!!
Mr. Brown, I would like to say that I enjoy your photo and short history of the place you shoot very much. I look at them almost daily, since I have them sent to my email.
Also, this is my favorite so far. I really enjoy the old churches with their history attached as well. Keep it up! You do a fantastic job. Barbara
Kind of you to say…thanks, Barbara!
I spent many days visiting one of my best friends, Shelley Hayes, in Musella. Her family was always so gracious. Loved the people and the sites in this quaint place.
Hey Cheryl, if you’re Johnny Luckie’s wife from Ga Southern, we have a mutual cousin in David Luckie. I am the pastor of Musella Baptist Church across the highway from Dickey Farms and next door to Hays General Store. This is a GREAT community with wonderful people.
Joe
Joe (this is Brian Brown), Cheryl is married to Johnnie. They live in my hometown of Fitzgerald these days. Very nice folks!
Literally brought tears to my eyes to see this old country store still alive and well. Bless you!!!!!
love it great nostalgia!
I don”t want to tell my age, but I remember stores just like this in Fitzgerald. In fact, Owen Segraves and others like Johnny’s Grocery and Garrisons had stores just like this one. A great place to buy a big cookie and a Coke.
they were the forerunner of the fast stop stores we have today.
I remember them too. They were all over the place in North GA well into the 50’s and 60’s. I’ll bet most of the ones you remember in South GA had “Punch Boards” too. I actually remember one in Clermont, GA with an unforgettable name…”I. P. Rainwater and Sons Grocery”…hope Brian doesn’t have to censor that!
Funny, Ben! Would love to have a photograph of that place.
So would I Brian. Sadly, as with most of these icons, it is long gone.
Brian, a nice addition to your posts would be a link to map showing these great places that are so worth visiting.
I am fascinated by this town’s name… Musella. It so nicely rolls off the tongue. It’s one of those words that is fun to say. I was not aware of Musella until this series of posts Brian. Could anyone out there tell us how the name came to be?
Ben, Musella was named for an older couple – His name was Moses and her name was Ella. When it was hand-written and sent to Atlanta (the capital), the writer didn’t enclose the O and it looked like a U, so instead of the community being “Mosella,” it became “Musella!” That’s similar to Fort Valley, GA. I understand that it was originally known as Fox Valley, but someone’s penmanship wasn’t up to speed, so Fox looked like Fort. Gotta love those old stories.
Joe
Great story about Musella’s origin, Joe. Thanks!
Nostalgic. So many of those little neighborhood stores have closed, it is a real privilege to see one still in operation. Next time I am down that way I do intend to stop by. Thanks for sharing. Your photographs always make my day.