LaGrange #4 - LaGrange, GA
LaGrange #4
Sing Food Store
LaGrange, GA 30240
Happy New Year! Today, we will continue our journey through LaGrange with the second hidden gem I found. I went to four Sing Stores that day, with LaGrange #4 being the final one. Weary after a day full of travel and photography, I almost decided to skip this store (and I'm glad I didn't). My last post covered LaGrange #2 with a fair amount of detail, and future posts will cover the other two stores I visited: LaGrange #1 & LaGrange #5. Similar to my last post, I haven't found any historical media coverage of this store and even worse, I don't have any old pictures of the station. On the other hand, it wasn't long before I realized that I didn't need any of this to discover the "musical" history of this store. LaGrange #4's vocal chops harken back to the days of Journey and Phil Collins because in 2021, it is Sing[ing] songs straight out of the 1980's!
This station, along with the other LaGrange stores, was sold to McDonald Oil Company in June of 1993 for $450,000 as part of Amoco's effort to divest itself of Sing's non-Tallahassee stores. After becoming Summit #31, the store would chug along (mostly unchanged) until it was sold to Apex Petro, LLC in 2013 for $725,000. I also looks like BP Products North America issued some form of quit-claim deed a few weeks prior to this sale. I assume this was to clear up some matter discovered during due diligence that was related to the 1990 merger. For those who don't know, BP is the direct successor to the Sing name through their 1998 merger with Amoco.
I'm not sure what Apex Petro calls this station so I will refer to it as the former Summit #31 since Google Maps still lists that name. The Summit convenience store brand was used exclusively by McDonald Oil Company owned locations; although, it looks like the current occupant doesn't care about marketing their own convenience store brand.
According to property records, the land for this store was purchased by Sing in December, 1982 for $120,000. The station would have opened in 1983, making it the last station Sing built using the prototype introduced six-years prior. There is also a very good chance that this is Sing's last convenience store to be built without a deli; the store was never remodeled to add one during its 7 years under the Thomasville, GA management. At roughly 2,800 sqft, this store is relatively small compared to modern convenience stores and I could tell that the current tenant felt the constraints of the space.
Exterior Photos
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| Former Summit #31 - December 2021 The post wouldn't be complete without Sing's vacuum and air station! |
Sing loved to install this pair of light fixtures at their stations, many of which are surprisingly in-tact today. This store featured a textbook example, complete with an Amoco-era air sign (this store using the same version as Columbus #8). These square stations typically have the vacuum station located in the crux of the intersection out front, and LaGrange #4 was no exception.
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 This shot reminds me of Columbus #8. Hmm, strange. |
Judging by this shot, it looks like Amoco was the last tenant to make any changes to the exterior of this station. The building originally would have featured a taller awning structure; however, Amoco removed the steeper part of the roofline to allow space for their Food Shop branding. The wood paneling is a classic Sing trait, in addition to the wood columns supporting the awning. That makes me believe the remaining awning has the same pitch as the bottom half of Sing's original structure. One day I will have a post about the Sandy Plains store, the first to be built using this design, and share some pictures of that long-lost station. In the meantime, let's venture inside this surviving store!
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 That's a lotto signs to look at |
Here is a closer look at one of the "fronts" of the station. We can see the gas payment window (welcoming us to LaGrange Shell) that doesn't look like it has been used for that purpose in quite a few years. There is an opening behind the "We Match Competitors Prices" sign where cash could be handed to the cashier. The register is located directly behind that wall, in this corner of the store. The door on this side of the store has been blocked off, so let's walk to the other side.
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 That cypress paneling would look so neat if it was not painted. |
Sorry for the harsh lighting in this shot, but we can see the right (wow, a double meaning!) entrance to this store. This door looks like it is newer than the one on the wrong entrance, even though it is still in its original location.
Interior Photos
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 Fine Wines, Cold Beer, and Jumbo Honey Buns |
Stepping inside, we are greeted by the register to our left, faded blue paint, rust-colored tile, and diagonal shelves. Why do these things matter? All of these are in-tact relics from Sing Oil Company! From here on, I realized that this station was special, especially since it could be the only Small-Format Square Sing Store that has retained its original layout. These 2,800 sqft stores must a bit small for convenience store operators because every other one I have seen has been reconfigured (Like Columbus #8).
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 A map of India is really fitting for the boiled peanuts display |
Turning to our right, we see some drink coolers covering the windows, snacks, and red Formica countertops with grey cabinets (remember these from Bradfordville?). Let's continue.
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 The ceiling tiles look like they need some TLC |
Turning toward the snacks, we can look out over the rest of the store and see several aisles between me and the drink coolers on the back wall. I also notice an odd blue bulkhead that spans the wall above the coolers . . .
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 I'm surprised at how well these cabinets have held up in these old convenience stores |
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 I think the Coke shelf on the right was intended to sell product, not store it |
I took this shot from the back corner of the store, opposite the register, looking toward the wall with the functional door. This store was obviously crunched for space, judging by all of the extra coolers and Styrofoam cups stacked on top of them. I also wonder why they installed jungle-themed wallpaper behind the two Dasani coolers — maybe it is related to the Rainforest Alliance coffee?
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 Pork Rinds |
To the right of the Helados Mexico frozen desert cooler, we have none other than a full shelf of: pork rinds. Or maybe they are chicharrones to fit the theme! According to Wikipedia, Troup County's population is less than 5% Hispanic so I feel like the cooler was purely coincidental. I do wonder why a store that is this pressed for space would devote so much real estate to fried pork skins. Any ideas?
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 As if 10 built-in coolers aren't enough |
If we back up a bit more, we see the rest of the drink coolers that occupy the back wall. I imagine Sing would have used the space under the blue border on the wall for either snacks or frozen foods (not certain). Maybe I should have looked for a label scar since that blue paint is defiantly original. To the right is where this store's traditional and bitcoin ATMs live, next to an early '00s Coca-Cola display rack.
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| Former Summit #31 - December 2021 Ice Ice Baby |
Next up, we'll take a look at the back corner of the store, opposite the register. This is where the stock room and ice are located. Something about this setting looks old, don't you think?
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| Gulfport Sing Store - Gulfport, MS - 1988 Signage used for the ice freezer (pay attention to the "c" and "e" on the wall) |
That's because it is. The ice cooler above is original to the 1980's and matches the wood grain of other Sing ice coolers. What is even better is the blue ICE lettering glued to the paneling. After digging through my Bradfordville and Gulfport pictures, I found this image showing the ice cooler in Gulfport. What do you know, the font from these pictures match exactly! I never thought I would see it, but original Sing department signage can still be found in the wild in 2021! Regardless, it looks like it would not be fun to remove that cooler since it is built in to the wall. If you remember, Columbus #7 uses that space for a Coca-Cola fridge and has removed the ice freezer.
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 Sanitation Station |
I decided to take a peek inside the back room (since the door was open!) and see how confined these stores really are. To the left was the back entrance to the built-in coolers; to the right, I believe, was a small office and possibly a bit more storage. This store is tight.
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 The life of the party |
To get a better idea of how tight the space is, we can take a look at the alcohol / seating area. It is hard for me to figure out how much stuff I am looking at in this picture, and I'm the one who took it! Imagine if I had used my wide-angle lens! Let's unpack this shot:
- I spy a familiar sight to those who read my post on LaGrange #2: Fine Wines. Unfortunately, we don't have a "pickle in-a pouch" to pair with our $5 Merlot today (Sorry, AFB). We do, however, have an open packet of Chick-fil-A Zesty Buffalo sauce to pair with copious quantities of Bud Light.
- Amidst piles of boxes, there is a lone red booth (just like the one in Columbus #4). I have no Earthly idea why this store needs a booth set since it neither serves any hot food, nor did it ever as a Sing Store. Furthermore, I have since realized that the booths here and in Columbus differ from ones I have seen elsewhere (like LaGrange #2, Laurel, and Perry #1). These booths are red and have a red Formica table, while the others are orange with a wood-grain table. There is a good chance Sing just bought them at different times, but I would need to find more of them to be sure.
- Near the top of the frame I see a blue bulkhead that is a remnant from Sing. It still astonishes me how some of these stations haven't been repainted in over 30 years. It wouldn't surprise me if this bulkhead had a shingle façade when it was built in 1983. When Sing left the building, there would have been department signage along this section of wall. The drink coolers are also original to Sing.
- Like the other Sing-turned-Summit stations I have been to, my trip wouldn't be complete without seeing the "gambling machines" against a wall. I also see an aged Georgia Lottery kiosk behind the small Bud Light refrigerator. The electrical situation powering that fridge looks 100% safe and up to code!
- I wish I knew what Sing used the nook for to the left of the built-in coolers.
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| Former Summit #31 / LaGrange #4 - December 2021 I wonder if the ceiling fan over the register is original |
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| Former Summit #31 - March 2020 Convenience store and laundromat addition |
- The Sing Oil Blogger
Street Views
Google Street View - February 2008
Summit #31 with private-label gasoline - View from N Greenwood Street
Google Street View - July 2013
Summit #31 as a Shell, featuring Sing parking lot lights - View from N Greenwood Street
Google Street View - November 2021
"LaGrange Shell" with newly-added laundromat next door - View from N Greenwood Street
Aerial Views
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Historic Aerials - 1981 Future site of LaGrange #4 Sing Store |
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Google Earth - January 1993 LaGrange #4 Sing Store, shortly before Amoco sold the station to McDonald Oil Co. |
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Google Earth - May 2016 Former Summit #31 with expanded gas pump canopy |
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Google Earth - November 2020 Former Summit #31 with 2017 laundromat addition |
Additional Resources:
Parcel ID: 0611A011001
Another fun post! It's neat seeing how much about this place is still original. I think I like the ice signage the best.
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DeleteThank You! I agree, I really enjoy when I walk into one of these stores and find that it is mostly original. The ice signage was probably the most surprising part and will likely be the only time I will ever find one still in use. Glad I even had pictures to confirm!
You're welcome! Yep, the historic photo to match was awesome!
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