Columbus #4 - Columbus, GA

 

Columbus #4

Sing Food Store | Chevron Gas

3809 Saint Marys Road

Columbus, GA 31906

Updated with Ledger article: June 20, 2022 | Original Publication: September 29, 2021

Built in 1970, Station #4 was Sing's deepest entry into South Columbus and resides just over 2.5 miles away from the edge of Fort Benning Army base.  Just off Exit 3 of I-185, the station was likely intended to serve interstate travelers who needed a break for gas just before the long, empty stretch of road to the South known as Corridor Z (US 280/GA 520/US 27/GA 1).  Today, this area of Columbus is primarily made up of Military and low-income people and does not have the best reputation with regards to crime.  While that is good for the purpose of this blog, as it means the station has gone through very few changes in the 30+ years since its Sing days, it also means that this Sing Store lacks much of the prestige it likely once had.  I can definitely say it was not the worst Sing Store I have visited but it could have used a bit of T.L.C. and smelled faintly of marijuana on the inside.  Lucky for me the cashier of this store (Summit #33) seemed more focused on his phone conversation in a foreign language than somebody taking pictures of the convenience store for an internet blog on gas station history.  He also needed to restock their small and medium fountain drink lids; I typically buy something from these stores so I don't look entirely suspicious.  

According to Muscogee County property records, Sing purchased this property on July 1, 1969 for $62,500 and transferred it between holding companies twice (March, 1981 & October, 1990).  Sing Oil Company had a variety of divisions for tax and legal purposes so it is common to see stations distributed amongst various entities such as SDE (Sing Distributing Enterprises?) and Sing Industries, Inc.  The October 22, 1990 transfer was a measure taken to consolidate and prepare the company for the Amoco-Sing merger that would conclude just over a week later.  Amoco, operating as Sing Industries, Inc., later sold this station for $580,000 to McDonald Oil Company on June 23, 1993.  There must have been a clause for Amoco to keep the acquired company operational for 2.5 years because they began to sell off a number of stores beginning in mid-1993.  In 2019, McDonald Oil sold their retail assets to West Georgia Commercial Properties, with this station selling for $2.1 million.  It is crazy to think how a 50 year old convenience store can sell for so much money!

The keen-eyed reader may wonder why there is no mention of Columbus #3 anywhere on the blog:  that is because there is no official record of this station.  It would have opened between 1965 (Columbus #2) and 1970 (This station) but could have been a dealer station, a standard convenience store, or a leased location.  It is plausible that Columbus #3 was on Peacock Avenue near Wynnton Road because "Peacock Avenue" was scratched out on the back of my Columbus #7 photo and I have heard other anecdotal evidence but nothing that can be confirmed.

The storm of May, 1983

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - May, 1983
News photo of the original 1970 pump canopy that blew over during a strong thunderstorm

At the Sing Food Store, 3809 St. Mary’s Road, Columbus, the two-ton canopy covering the gas pumps was lifted from its supports and thrown against the store, coming to rest partly on the roof. Two gas pumps were torn from the concrete and all the store’s windows were smashed.

Parlay Thorne, manager of the store, said he and two other employees heard the storm approaching about 5:30 a.m.

“We didn’t see it coming, but we heard it and it was three of us trying to hold the doors closed.” Thorne said, “When the doors started to pulsate, we ran to the back of the store.”

The Columbus Ledger - May 16, 1983

While I had previously not been able to locate any written details of this event, I came across several newspaper pictures on Ebay of this station taken on May 16, 1983.  According to Wikipedia, the 1983 hurricane season was mild and the first storm developed in July:  showing that this was not hurricane damage.  Additionally, I could not find any reports of tornadoes touching down in Georgia or Alabama around this time; therefore, I believe it must have been a strong thunderstorm that blew the canopy over and knocked out the sign behind the station.  

After visiting the Columbus / Muscogee County Library, I was able to look through their microfilm collection of The Columbus Ledger to find the article corresponding to this photograph.  Thank goodness my picture had a date on it, or else it would've been like looking for a needle in a haystack!  I'm these pictures were from The Columbus Ledger and they were taken by Allen Horne to depict the damage inflicted upon South Columbus during the early morning hours of May 16, 1983 by a strong thunderstorm.  The photo above is the one which ended up being published in The Ledger, while the one below must have been a back up option.  I do wonder if the photo below could have been published the next day, but didn't bother to scroll through the extra microfilm!

With regards to the sign behind the convenience store, I believe it was for the branch of First Federal Savings & Loan that was located next door on Oakley Drive.  The pieces remaining on the sign look like the top section said "First" and the middle section read "Federal" while the bottom showed time and temperature.  According to Muscogee County property records, this bank branch has traveled through several companies during its life including Barnett Federal Savings Bank, SouthTrust Bank, and finally Wachovia.  

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - May, 1983
News photo of the Chevron pump canopy that landed that on the Sing convenience store

The first picture looks like it was taken immediately after the storm while the second was taken several hours later because the sky seems a bit brighter.  These pictures did reveal that the St. Marys Road station sold Chevron gas for a period and featured the branded 1980s pump spanner (More glimpses of 1980s Chevron styling will be shared on the post for Columbus #1).  I had previously thought that select stations in the Atlanta market were Chevron branded and the rest of the stations sold Sing branded gas; however, I have found other references of Chevron gas at other stations.  Over its lifetime I have pictures of this station selling both brands of gasoline, as shown above and below.

 

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - 1970
The recently opened Sing store selling Sing branded gas and featuring the canopy that would blow over in a 1983 thunderstorm.  Notice the light poles were repainted black in the picture at the top.

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
This Summit station has gone through few exterior changes since its days as a Sing

In 2021, this station remains largely unchanged from how it looked in 1990 as a Sing.  I will share some photos from my visit and point out a few (or many) of the traits that survive over 30 years later.  The first is from the photo above; while the brick has been painted white, the original doors are in place and the distinctive diagonal wood paneling can still be found on the bottom of two of the windows.  It looks like Sing modified all of their existing stations with paneling sometime in the mid-1980s, possibly when they added in-store delis.

Muscogee County Property Records - February 23, 2015
Summit / Shell station as seen from St. Marys Road

Interior Photos

Stepping inside the store, we are greeted with the Sing grey and red Formica cabinets that are in the same location as they would have been in the 1980s.  The pegboards that are now home to candy were originally intended for rolls of film but have since been repurposed.  Also, the plexiglass around the cashier is an addition of the current tenant that reflects the rough neighborhood where this station is located.  I can confidently say that the drink coolers to the right are original and I would assume that the laminate flooring is a vintage relic as well.  This store was probably built before Sing began installing the red/orange tile that is seen in other stores.  I do see one more relic behind the plexiglass that was personally shocking to me but I will get to that later . . .

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
Cashier counter of Summit #33 / Sing Columbus #4

To the right of the entry is the snack shelves and some other drink coolers.  I'm not sure what would have originally been on that wall but it could have been hardware or garden supplies.  Since I don't have any pictures of this store format in the 1980s, this station is the closest thing I have to an original.  I do see a scar where a shelf has been moved about two feet toward the rear of the store though.

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
A bit dingy, ay?

Taking another step back, we see two more Sing originals: the red booth sets and the red pendant lights.  I didn't notice the lights until I was writing this post but the identical fixtures can be seen behind the counter and above the Drink Center in Bradfordville.  I assume the booths were moved away from the window to put the ice cream chest freezer because they otherwise seem out of place.  This store might have had a partition between the seating area and the rest of the store but I am not sure.

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
I spy three Sing red pendants and two Sing red booths

 

Turning to the left, we see that a corner cabinet was removed to build the plexiglass wall around the cash register based on the discolored flooring.  I assume this was reused for the fountain drink island because it looks like it is the correct shape and in a random location.  Possibly the most interesting relic left is on the wall behind the cashier:  the paint.  I was shocked when I saw it, but the interior of this store has not been painted since the mid-80's!  My Bradfordville pictures show how Sing painted the wall behind the deli red and had a blue strip that ran around the perimeter of the store.  Summit covered this strip with a faux-brick wallpaper above the cooler but left it visible around the rest of the store.  I never thought I would see a store with vintage paint yet here we are!

 

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
Is that red and blue Sing paint I see!?!?

I believe I found the missing cabinet which moved all of five feet.  It is interesting how management bothered to hang a round sign from the ceiling promoting the soft drinks when they didn't bother doing so much more in this store.  I'm not sure what the counter behind the fountain drink machine was used for in the Sing days but it is used for haphazard storage now.  The blue Sing stripe on the wall is visible in this picture too.

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
Counter used for the "new" fountain drink and coffee center

Here is the other side of the drink counter which is home to coffee and Cappuccinos.  While it may not be original, I would not be surprised if the open-faced cooler in the background has been there for a long, long time.

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
Coffee station with original straw holder and open-faced drink cooler

Turning a bit more to the left, we see several ceiling tiles that show water damage and some more laminate tiles in need of repair.  I also believe there are some "gambling" machines behind the shelf of snacks.

Columbus #4 - St Marys Road - September, 2021
The front left corner of Summit #33 convenience store

And that concludes our journey into an amazingly original former Sing Store.

Google Street Views

Google Street View - August 2019

Current Summit / Shell station - View from St. Marys Road

Google Street View - March 2008

Money Back / BP station - View from St. Marys Road

Google Street View - November 2007

Money Back / BP station with old gas pumps - View from Oakley Drive

Google Street View - November 2007

Hardee's adjacent to station with 1970s Logo - View from St. Marys Road

 

Aerial Views

 

Historic Aerials -1968

St. Marys Road before construction of Sing Store

Historic Aerials - 1981

Columbus #4 Sing Store with original gas pump canopy

Google Earth - February, 1999

Amoco station with 1983 pump canopy and widened St. Marys Road

Google Earth - February, 2003

BP station with 2000s pump canopy moved further from the road

Google Street View - November 2020

Shell station in its current form on the Northwest corner of the intersection

Additional Resources: 

Historic Aerials

Google Earth Pro

Google Maps

Parcel ID: 088 051 028

Muscogee County Property Records

Bradfordville - Tallahassee, FL

Bradfordville

Sing Food Store | Deli

6706 Thomasville Road

Tallahassee, FL 32312

Revisited: March 10, 2022 | Original Publication: September 16, 2021

Back during the waning days of the 20th century, the heart of Uptown was marked by the first traffic light to greet travelers once they entered Florida from a northern wilderness. Commuters along U.S. 319 were limited to the offerings of a Sing store/gas station for a last-minute gift or a quick bite to eat.

 

“I lived out there when all that was there was that Sing store,” said Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge with a laugh. “It’s come a long way and it’s coming together.” 

 

Today, the intersection of Thomasville and Bradfordville is the gateway to a new development of swanky and casual restaurant and boutique shops – 38,000 square feet of retail space known as the Bannerman Crossings

 - "Uptown, becoming a place to be",  The Tallahassee Democrat, August 26, 2016

To continue our journey through Sing's final 12 Tallahassee Stations, we will visit the heart of an unincorporated community eight miles north of the city called Bradfordville.  This station is unique in the history of the area because it was alone, and was initially surrounded by miles of pine forests in all directions - no businesses, no houses, not much of anything.  Some thought Sing was crazy to build a store in what seemed like the middle of nowhere but time would reveal that the station would have one of the best locations in the soon-to-be booming community.  Today, there is a Target, Publix (soon to be two), Walgreens, large high school, multiple restaurants, and nearly 50,000 people within a five-mile radius; however, in the early '80s there was nothing more than an old country store at a misaligned crossroads. 

Built in 1984, the Bradfordville Sing Store was the first in the Tallahassee area to use the large-format square prototype and was the first store in the area to be built from scratch with a Deli.  This prototype was only rolled out a year earlier in Mississippi (Jackson #4 & Columbia) which also would have been some of Sing's first attempts at serving hot food in convenience stores.  At the time of its opening around July 4, 1984 the station was one of three in the Tallahassee area to feature a Deli, with more to come in the following years.  More information on Sing's foray into hot food can be found in the article on Tallahassee #12.  This station's final manager under Sing operation was Pete Cuddy, who had been employed by Sing since 1971.

The picture above was taken around the time of the station's grand opening along with the rare interior shots I have of Sing stores in the '80s.  One thing I find interesting about this station is that it was built with analog pumps featuring the ca. 1964 Sing logo while Port St. Joe was already using the newer Gilbarco Highline pumps in 1982.  The first trace I can find of Sing's new '80s logo is from 1986 so it had probably not rolled out yet; however, the color scheme of this station matches that new logo well.

Courtesy Newspapers.com - Tallahassee Democrat - October 13, 1997; Colorized 2022
Amoco-Sing #5054 (Bradfordville Sing Store)

I found the picture above in a section of the Democrat describing how Bradfordville has changed over the years. As I mentioned in another post, I never expected I would find one of these rare looks at an Amoco-Sing station.

Just a note of continuity, Amoco referred to this station as Sing Food Store #2 in an ad on December 24, 1993 but this station was never given a number during the days of Sing management.  The original Tallahassee #2 was a service station located on West Carolina Street in downtown.  According to Leon County Property Records, Sing leased this and several other service stations from Bay Petroleum on August 8, 1959.

Exterior Photos

While looking through my pictures, I found these two I had taken back in 2017 while passing through Tallahassee.  I think I had seen Circle K rolling out their new station livery at other locations so I wanted to capture a glimpse before the old one went away.  Back then, I didn't know I would have a blog dedicated to these gas stations; I guess sometimes life prepares you for times to come, even when you don't realize it!

Bradfordville Circle K - June 2017
The front entrance to the store, facing the corner of Bannerman & Thomasville Roads

This shot shows the front of the Bradfordville Sing store, featuring Circle K's early-'00s livery.  The look is definitely showing its age with all of the mildew running on the white paint.  After all, it would have been installed in 1999 after the station's purchase from Amoco — and the subsequent death of the Sing brand.  Looking through the window, I can see Circle K's previous interior décor package featuring diamond-plate metal on the walls and red perimeter lighting.

Bradfordville Circle K - June 2017
Thomasville Road monument sign for Circle K and Shell

I also took a picture of the monument sign by the road, which uses the old Circle K logo and the old Shell sign design.  All of this was replaced fairly soon after I took these pictures.  Interestingly, this station used to have a tall road sign but it was replaced with this smaller one when the store started selling Shell gasoline around 2008-2009.

Interior Photos

While I have only visited two stores of this prototype, both this store and Tallahassee #12 were nearly identical 35+ years after they were built so I would assume that they were identical when constructed as well.  Circle K recently remodeled this store but the layout remains largely the same as it did in 1984.  I apologize in advance for the mediocre pictures but most store attendants don't appreciate pictures being taken by a stranger walking into a store.  Luckily, The two working in this store seemed to be distracted by other things which allowed me to get several from throughout the entire store.

Bradfordville Sing Store - July 1984
A Store overview from the front door

 

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Rear of store overview: candy aisle and drink coolers

When comparing the pictures above, it is easy to see that the drink coolers have retained largely the same configuration as they had in 1984.  A beer cave has taken over the wine section and some new drink categories have been added but there are still six coolers on the back wall and three on the right wall.

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Dairy cooler, cooler access door, and rear exit

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Beer Cave and cooler, drink coolers

The beer cave occupies the old wine cooler section while the three beer coolers to the left take part of the snack space.

Bradfordville Sing Store - July 1984
The left side of the store, from the front door

On the left side of the store, the Froster section ironically takes up part of the old Frozen Food section while the Polar Pop absorbed the balance of the freezers and Snacks.  The Drink Center was converted to a roller food island that was also moved a bit toward the center of the store to allow easier access to the Polar Pop drink machines.  It looks like there was a chest freezer on the front side of the white structural column in the picture below.

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Fountain drink dispensers, roller food, and beer coolers

As for the right side of the store, Garden and Hardware used to reside on the walls between the back cooler hallway and the restrooms.  Automotive supplies occupied the partition wall that separated the main floor of the store from the seating area and restrooms.  It is crazy to think about finding a garden rake in a convenience store today but Sing had to carry a lot being the only store for miles. 

This store also had a large selection of L'eggs pantyhose on the end cap in the left of the frame which were very popular at the time. 

Bradfordville Sing Store - July 1984
The right side of the store, from the front door

The bulkheads were removed from this side of the store during one of Circle K's renovations leaving an empty white angled wall.  This section of the store is now used for random displays of temporary items or bulk soft drinks.  Honestly, it seems like Circle K could have made better use of the space without making it feel crowded.  The automotive section and partition has been removed entirely and is now open floor space.  

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Miscellaneous goods on right side of store

This photo was taken nearly 180° from the perspective of the one above.  I don't have any 1980s pictures of the seating area or the automotive section, but seating would have been under the "Simply Great Coffee" sign.  The automotive partition wall would have been a few feed in front of there, toward the camera.

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Right side of store and coffee counter

Back on the left side of the store, the cashier counter is largely in the same place as it was in 1984 but the blue bulkheads were removed.  The hot food counter was shrunk and shifted to the right as less emphasis was needed due to the numerous restaurants in the area.  

Since this station was built before the "pay-at-the-pump" days, all gas transactions were held at this counter.  Sing also added a convenient window next to the cashier so customers didn't have to come inside.  

As will be noted in future posts, some former Sing stations still use the grey Formica cabinets with the red counter top as shown below in 2021.  Some of these stations haven't even changed the paint on the walls in 30+ years!

Bradfordville Sing Store - July 1984
The Gas Pay counter and Fresh Daily Deli along the left of the store

Circle K seemed to cover up most of the windows behind the cashier stand during the last renovation but part of the big window (with a red tint) can bee seen behind the cigarettes. The smaller windows are behind the "Nice to see you" phrase.  There were a lot fewer people in the store the day I went when compared to 1984 but that is to be expected.  It is also interesting to note how cigarettes used to be available for customers to grab off the shelf, as seen in the left of the shot above.  Film was available in the peg boards below the counter.

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Cashier counter along the left of the store

Here is another angle of the cashier counter, hot food section, and fountain drink section, taken from the back left corner of the store.

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Left side of store overview, from the rear

Finally, we have a view of the front of the store from 1984 with the cashier counter to the right.  Interestingly, we can see the analog pumps that were installed which are adorned with Sing's ca. 1964 diamond logo.

Bradfordville Sing Store - July 1984
The Gas Pay counter, front door, and gas pumps

It isn't quite the same perspective, but the picture below shows the front door of the store in 2021.  An ice cream cooler and sunglasses have replaced the magazine shelf of ye ole Sing Store.

Bradfordville Circle K - September 2021
Right side of store overview, from the rear

To wrap up this post, I will share a picture of the Bradfordville store in the sunshine.  It is unfortunate that this photo was taken at the end of a roll of film because it looks like a pretty day!  I believe it was taken some time after the one at the top of the post from the grand opening because the "Now Open" sign had been taken down.  Some of the interior pictures above could have been from the same day.

Bradfordville Sing Store - 1984
Sing Food & Deli, view from Thomasville Road (US 319)

Google Street Views

Google Street View - April, 2021
Bradfordville Circle K - view from Thomasville Road (US 319)

Google Street View - April, 2016
Bradfordville Circle K - view from Thomasville Road (US 319)

Google Street View - December, 2007
Bradfordville Circle K - view from Thomasville Road (US 319)

Aerial Views

Historic Aerials - 1954
Future site of Bradfordville Sing Store at Bannerman & Thomasville Roads

 

Historic Aerials - Early 1983
Future site of Bradfordville Sing Store at Bannerman & Thomasville Roads

Tallahassee-Leon County GIS - Late 1983
Bradfordville Sing Store under construction at Bannerman & Thomasville Roads

Tallahassee-Leon County GIS - 1990
Bradfordville Sing Store before widening of Bannerman & Thomasville Roads

Google Maps - 2021
Bradfordville Circle K after widening of Bannerman & Thomasville Roads

Additional Resources: 

Tallahassee - Leon County GIS

Google Earth Pro

Google Maps

Parcel ID: 1422200350000

Leon County Property Records