Local Treasures: Ricky Anderson

by Judy Weigand

Traveling west on 58 from Galax, up gentle hills and down again, snaking through the many twists and turns, I felt myself slowly folding into the mountain scenery. Dipping down into the lush farms and hardwood forests along the road leading to  the little town of Independence.

The seat of Grayson County, Independence is a very modest, friendly, and sparsely populated village. Many families have been here for generations and they understand the importance of supporting each other and their community.  Things move slowly here and I began to fall into pace. Continuing west on 58 from Independence, it was not long before I happened upon Rixey’s Market, a country store founded in 1957by Rixey and Norine Anderson Sr. I had tostop and explore.

Better known as “Rickey,” Rixey Fielden Anderson Jr was there to greet me with his warm smile and friendly attitude. “Where good friends come to tell stories, laugh, talk and come to trade.” That’s exactly what I encountered.

Wandering the aisles of this small, very well organzized store, I found dilly beans, pickled vegetables, a large array of jams and jellies, local honey, and seasonal fruits and vegetables, in addition to regional dairy products. I also found Whitetop Syrup sold in support of the nearby rescue squad. Bread, butter, peanut butter, chocolate milk, hot sauce, cornmeal muffin mix—you name it, it’s there. Ricky also carriesfeed and other goods for farm animals, hardware, magazines, gardening gloves, soda in glass bottles (it tastes better you know) and a wide array of sweets including New River Chocolate Rocks. You can even rent a storage unit. Ricky takes great care to provide what is needed and wanted by his customers while promoting regional farmers and entrpreneurs.

Ricky was ten when his father opened Rixey’s Market. Most boys his age were busy with after school activities and sports, but not Rickey. He couldn’t wait to get home to work in the store. He worked behind the counter any chance he got, pumped gas, washed windshields, checked oil, and whatever else was needed to insure good service.To this day his favorite pasttime is interacting with his cusomers. He just likes being around people and hearing what they have to say.Part of his calling, Ricky feels the store provides an important service to the local people.

After graduation from Appalachian State University with a BA in Business Administration, Ricky tried teaching school for a while, but his heart was with the store. After meeting his wife, Martha, they married and had a son. Together the continued to nurture the community they love.

Ricky demonstrates hs commitment to community with various volunteer activities. The Grayson Volunteer Rescue Squad counted him as their Captain for ten years and he is still a member today. Because Ricky is eager to insure that ll interested young people have the educational opportunities they deserve, he serves on the Wytheville Communit College Board of Directors. He also regularly participates as a panelist and speaker for Appalachian State University Entrpreneur and Alumni Days. As a member of the Industrial Development Authority Board in Independence, Ricky is active in assisting businesses secure low interest loands, promoting job creation and retention, and supporting the local tax base. He is also scheduled to begin membership on the Matthews Living History Farm Museum Board of Directord in 2009.

As we talked about his early life in Grayson County, it became clear that the values of his parents and his community produced more than a well organzied and productive country store. It produced a man who cares deeply about his fellow man, takes great joy in doing the right thing and believes in serving his community.

Ricky will tell you he’s very partial to Grayson County. When he travels he sees what others have to offer but says it’s hard to beat these good old hills. People ask him at times when he will retire. Ricky says he has no plans to retire, that he would miss being in the store and visiting with customers. After all, his mother worked the store until she was 85 years old.

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