ANDIS- It is a cornucopia of consumer needs, a testament to the area's past as well as a thriving part of its present: The Andis General Store continues to beckon shoppers.

The store first opened its doors in the 1920s, and in its earlier days operated under the name

A.J. Webb. Six years ago, Brenda and Chauncey Neal Jr. bought the store, and continue a tradition of rural customer service.

"It's just a little country store," Brenda Neal said. "We try to have a little of everything."

Boxes of penny nails and rolls of twine

await the next customer, as do the jars of baby food and shelves of candy. Ice cream treats wait in the cooler along the wall. Pictures of deer hunters

hang on the walls and on the door, as do photographs of young children. On shelves near the ceiling are nostalgic items that bring back memories for some shoppers, while leaving younger ones amused: cookie tins, old-fashioned bottles of Coca-Cola and coffee percolators.

"This is the gossip bench," Brenda Neal said, pointing to a wooden window seat. "This is where people come to gossip. Usually around fair time

is a good time. Mostly it is men (who sit there)."

For Emerson Brammer, the Andis General Store is a bit of convenience.

"I came to get a gallon of milk and a couple of candy bars," Brammer said laughing as he parked in front of the store. "They used to have gas pumps right here."

"I'm probably in here once a day," Randle White said. "It's close and the people are friendly."