Developer Wants to Demolish Bell's Store for Gas Station

A developer eyeing the possibility of demolishing a historic piece of property in Cherokee County is drawing the ire of local residents.

The Cherokee County Historical Society is closely watching plans by developer Jim Rollins of The Summit Group to construct a Flash Food convenience store with gas sales on the site of the old Bell's Store, which sits at the corner of Highway 20 and Union Hill Road in the Buffington community. 

Rollins, who is based out of Macon, did not return repeated phone calls and emails to Patch, but told the Cherokee Tribune his initial proposal would be to demolish the old facility and building a new one on the site. However, he did say he was considering an alternative to leave the structure in place. 

Stefanie Joyner, executive director of the historical society, said the organization is "obviously" opposed to the demolition of the building, but it has not taken any firm stances just yet. 

Joyner noted she wants to give the Cherokee County Commission and county planning staff the opportunity to work with Rollins to possibly preserve the building while he moves forward with his plans. 

"Obviously, we want to keep the building," she said, adding leaving the building there while developing the property would be an "okay compromise" in her eyes. 

If that can't be done, then Joyner said the society will once again consider taking a more firm stance against a demolition. 

The proposal came as a shock to Lisa Meyer, the owner of Cherokee Market Farm Fresh Produce.

Meyers, who has been in the building for four years, said she's spent several thousands dollars renovating the old store to fit her needs. She noted her landlord hasn't told her anything about Rollins' plans. 

"They want to walk in and kick me to the curb with no heads up or nothing," she said, adding she feels "like no one has been up front with me and told me what's doing on.”    

Meyers, who said Rollins is trying to turn Highway 20 into "another Barrett Parkway," noted a gas station is not needed in this area. She pointed to the Shell gas station at the corner of Highway 20 and Scott Road, and two more gas stations near Highway 20's intersection with East Cherokee Drive. 

"Do we really need five gas stations within a five or six mile radius?" she asked.     

Commissioners on Tuesday got a brief overview of Rollins' plans from Jeff Watkins, Cherokee's planning and land use director. Watkins said the company hasn't indicated when — or if — it plans to submit their proposal to the county. 

According to the book, "Buffington and Macedonia In Days Gone By," the original Bell's Store was built around 1900 and was run by William Freeman Bell for roughly 35 years. It was located across the street from the current structure.

Bell's son, Edwin Bell Sr., in 1927 opened an auto parts store. That store was eventually developed into the new Bell's Store, which opened in 1935. With the exception of the living area added to the building in 1956, the store's current structure is intact. 

The book notes the store was "the hub of the community," and had a supply of dry goods, hardware, building materials, kerosene, dynamite, animal feed and groceries.

Nejasco Farms, which was located nearby, supplied fresh milk and ice cream for area residents.

The store remained in the family when Edwin Bell's son, W.F. Bell operated the store from 1979 to 1982. In recent years, it's been used to sell fresh produce and other locally grown items.

While Bell's Store is "not the most architecturally important" building in Cherokee County, Joyner noted it's imperative the building remains on the property as "we are losing so much on that corridor."

"We want to remain Cherokee County," she said. "We want to keep our identity as much as we can while we are still growing." 

District 1 Commissioner Harry Johnston, who represents the area in question, told Patch that while he expects the area will soon see some development, he felt it was imperative developers take an interest in preserving the area's architectural style. 

"I think it could make a nice little commercial node there with a lot of character," he added. 

Meyer, who said she started her business with two tables and "nothing" else out front, said she thinks Rollins would be better served if he move his plans to Highways 369 or 372, as that area of Cherokee has no convenience store. 

She added she is lucky she has a dedicated group of customers and friends who will rally behind her bid to keep Rollins from uprooting her from the place her business calls home. 

"We will fight this and we will win," she said. 

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