I have had the above photo of my Great-Grandfather, Jonas Edward Stephenson, since 1978 so it should have been no surprise for me to become a rep 30 years later.  Especially since over the years I have been collecting J.R. Watkins vintage products.  So, I decided to have a new beginning in 2008 and moved from my hometown of Wichita, Kansas to Shelbyville, TN where my Great-Grandfather had conducted business as a General Store Proprietor and Salesman of J.R. Watkins Products from 1886 - 1916.

Shelbyville Had New Activity Up There on the Square!  

 On Saturday, April 26th, 2008 I opened a Grocery Store / Deli on the Courthouse Square in Shelbyville, Tennessee and I too will be a J.R. Watkins Sales Representative.  I closed the store but still maintain my Watkins Products and Sales out of my home.  Simply give me a call and I can arrange to meet you to answer all of your questions about Watkins and their quality products.

The folks here in Shelbyville were excited, but it was hard to tell if they were more excited about the Grocery Store / Deli or the J.R. Watkins Products that are available to them locally now.  They certainly remember the Watkins products they grew up seeing in their homes and their grandparents’ homes.  I don't know how many times I have heard them say, "Their Cinnamon and Vanilla were the best and Grandma (or Momma) wouldn't use anything but Watkins."  They are happy to know they can still get the quality products their ancestors enjoyed in years past. 

I am waiting for them to share their memories of the Watkins' Man that came by the farm.  There were lots of them during my days at the store.  I enjoyed seeing the photos of Watkins salesmen in their old wagons and cars.  I had the Watkins Product section of my store decorated with over 200 vintage Tins, Almanacs, Cook Books, Pesticide Dusters, and Mary King Cosmetics. 

I have the best of both worlds here in Shelbyville - I get to display all of my old, vintage antique items where I can enjoy them all day everyday, share them with others and also make a living selling J. R. Watkins Products.

I am glad you stopped by my web site and encourage you to come call me if you are ever in the area.   (931) 205-4467   Shelbyville is easy to get to;    we are just about 50 miles south of Nashville on Highway 231 or just about          75 miles from Chattanooga and only about 70 miles from Huntsville, Alabama.

Here's to happy days of great memories