Friday, March 18, 2011

Hubert's



This is the site of the former I.P. Hudgins store and New Point Post office, also known as Hubert's.  Mr. Hubert sold many things here, from bubba boots to penny candy to sandwiches to crab pot wire.

According to the book History and Progress, Mathews County, Virginia, by the Mathews Historical Society, he was "the only dealer for Keystone crab pot wire between Norfolk and Colonial Beach."   

According to Johnny Pugh, a walking encyclopedia of the New Point area, Mr. Hubert was also the inventor of the 4-hole crab pot.

(Because CBW's brain  shut down for business after she had children is not always 100% attentive to details told to her, especially while she's taking photographs, it's entirely possible another Hudgins family member invented the 4-hole crab pot. But rest assured, crab pots were originally two funnels and then they were four. And a Hudgins, affiliated with this store, was involved.)





These next shots were taken just outside the storefront windows.  The store is no longer in operation, but the post office next door is.

Who remembers Nolde's bread?

(Chesapeake Bay Woman, put your hand down.  Also, please resist the urge to break out the bologna and cheese that you savored in between this bread back in the days of the dinosaurs your youth.)




I'm not sure how far the Nolde's bread market spanned, but the bakery was based in Richmond, and loaves regularly made their way to the Chesapeake Bay Family household, where it was quickly and eagerly devoured.

Amen.




Although there's nothing especially cool about smoking, I think this Kool sign with the store's operating hours is very cool. I especially love the reflection in the window of the old buildings across the street.  Although you can't tell in this photo, the buildings are white and green, the same colors as the sign.




So much more could be said about this marvelous old store, but for now I'll just close by saying I have a craving for a bologna and cheese sandwich on Nolde's bread have a great weekend.

13 comments:

Occasional Kate said...

Things I remember about Hubert's store: (I'll try not to ramble too much)

*The old Gulf sign for the gas pumps out front and that he would come out and pump your gas for you.

*The back room where he kept the shoes (I had roos a time or two!)

*If the bus driver was in a good mood she would let us off in front of his store in the afternoons for candy and soda, then drive down to the campground to turn around and then come back for us.

*The old fashioned cash register, the tiny display of matchbox cars, and when the post office was inside the store. Back when you could get a stamp for a quarter!

It would be nice to see that place up and running again.

Maria_NJ said...

Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories of the way we were.
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
smiles we give to one another
for the way we were.
Can it be that it was all so simple then
or has time rewritten every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
tell me would we? Could we?

Memories, may be beautiful and yet
what's too painful to remember
we simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
whenever we remember
the way we were.
sorry that was so long but when I looked at those pictures that was what came into my mind, such nostalgia.

wv:lingusa: lasagna made with linguine

Jamie said...

Now I too want a bologna sandwich. I lived on bologna. I'm full of bologna. I think that means we're related, CBW. Hubert's reminds me of the old Deltaville Drug Store. I loved that place and had a crush on the pharmacist (so did my Grandmother).

deborah said...

The old grocery/everything stores were so much fun! Now I want a bologna (bolonie) sandwich ...
Have a wonderful weekend!!

Caution/Lisa said...

I haven't thought about bologna in a long time - except, of course, for a local family with the same name, and the fact that I'm the only one who seems to find humor in that.

Daryl said...

I too lived on bologna . I called it BALONIE ... that was after my love for Salami died ... kosher salmi, if you havent had it, you must .. but if you have salt issues avoid it ... I am loving your old memories .. thanks to Maria for the earworm

And now I prost (WV) this comment ..

Anonymous said...

Sailor Bob, who had kid's show on channel 6 in Richmond, always talked about Nolde's Bread. Being an artist, he would draw a picture during the show. Bayman

Unknown said...

I loved our old grocery store. The bread was Wonder Bread, and the wrapper was made out of waxed paper. I can remember smelling the bread through the wrapper as I walked home. If I was supper hungry, I'd chew away a corner, and nibble the crust. Rita never noticed!!
Can't wait to get back to VA!

Meg McCormick said...

That place was probably like my Uncle Bill's grocery store, which also featured an old Gulf sign for its gas pumps. The store was situated at the crossroads of two rural roads in Seven Stars, which was considered a village but was really a cluster of several homes. My first paying job was at Uncle Bill's store and I have such great memories and could tell you stories...

Jane said...

Does anyone remember if this store had a barber chair in it?? This would have been back in the early 60's.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Jane, I can certainly try and find out for you. I do know there was a post office in the front of the store at one time. Will ask about the barber chair. Stay tuned.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Jane - Just heard from my friend who is very familiar with that store, and he did not recall a barber chair being there.

Unknown said...

This was the happening place back in the day.... really it was all we had until you got back to Port Haywood. I even worked there in the late 80s... Mr. Hudgins was a kind and generous man. Kids would come for the penny candy, people checking the mail and the old women coming for those keds, grasshopper or hush puppy shoes! It was a great place to grow up... not to mention those goats that constantly got out... Memories...