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AFTER 35 YEARS MAE’S ARMY STORE TO CLOSE

By Ezra Mann/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, June 27, 2008 12:58 AM CDT

Spend enough time in one location and it becomes home and after 35 years, Mae Hall, owner of Mae’s Army Store, 206 W. Barraque St., has decided to close her store, her home away from home.

The business began 35 years ago as the Roy Rogers Army Store where Hall worked part-time and after 15 years she purchased the building and began her own surplus operation. The store was once a place where residents from all over town would shop for items from boots to camping equipment as well as hunting gear and army surplus.

“I have enjoyed it because I had a wide variety of customers over years like doctors, lawyers and plumbers,” said Hall, who was born in Rison, but grew up in Pine Bluff. “Kids always like the Army stuff.”

The decision to close the store came primarily because of health reasons, but was also due to the current Middle East conflicts making it difficult to keep any military surplus in stock, added Hall. Pine Bluff has also changed significantly from when the store first opened with more items that used to be exclusive to specialty stores available almost everywhere now, and retail businesses moving away from the downtown area.

“People have always felt comfortable coming, but the economy has changed so much and people don’t drive out if they live elsewhere,” said Hall. “We’ve even had a number of celebrities like Tracy Lawrence and Willie Nelson come here in the past.”

The store is preparing for a liquidation sale Saturday through Bruce Cooper Auctions and will be held at 9 a.m., though interested bidders may view items beginning at 8 a.m. Items for auction include a Dr Pepper drink machine, artillery shells, helmets, antiques and boots.

Hall said she plans to spend more time with her grandchildren and has not decided what she will do in the future other than try and sell the building, but is not ready to sit around. Some of the items being sold at the auction are what her husband collected over the years before he died and she struggled to keep from crying while remembering her time at the store.

“I had several generations of customers come to this place in 35 years,” added Hall. “It’s going to be almost like losing a family member.”

Details: 692-3554.

On the Net:

www.brucecooperauctions.com

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