When Hubert Ferrell opened Ferrell Supply Store in 1946, he had a dream of offering a local gathering place while selling high-quality merchandise to the Lucama community. But he couldn’t have envisioned that 75 years later, his three granddaughters would keep his vision alive and prosperous.
To Market, to Market
In the spring of 2021, sisters Genny Bailey, Gretchen Jenkins and Jill Robertson launched the first Ferrell Supply Market, offering a new, creative experience to Lucama while preserving the legacy of their granddad’s original store.
“Ferrell Supply Market’s concept came together rather quickly, and each market has grown a lot,” Bailey says.
Now a biannual event, the Market takes place each May and October as a way for the community to shop and socialize away from the hustle and bustle. By the time their fourth one came around last fall, nearly 800 energetic shoppers from around the state traveled to Lucama to enjoy shopping, food and fun.
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The event included 50 vendors selling a variety of items such as furniture, jewelry, clothing, and home décor, along with food vendors offering options like pizza, cheesecake and specialty popcorn.
“We wouldn’t be successful without help from our community, family, friends and many volunteers,” Bailey says. “We couldn’t do it without them – they are extremely supportive and have helped our vision for the Markets come to life.”
Ferrell Supply Farms’ Formation
Back in their grandfather’s time, Ferrell Supply sold eggs, meat, hoop cheese and farm supplies but became very popular in December by selling Christmas toys and decorations.
“People didn’t have refrigerators in their homes, so they needed to go to the store more often, so the store served an important role in the community,” Bailey says.
After attending Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, Hubert married Nancy Olla Williamson before being drafted for World War II by the U.S. Army. When he came home from the war, he opened the store with his father and brother on their family’s land adjacent to the farmhouse where Ferrell was born in 1917.
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A year after the store opened, they welcomed their only child, Hubert Gene Ferrell, who would become the sisters’ father and a successful tobacco, soybean and corn farmer. Gene Ferrell’s farm equipment, shop, grain bins and tobacco barns were located directly behind the farmhouse where the Ferrell Supply Market is now hosted. Later, Nancy and Hubert Ferrell sold the store and a parcel of land to Victory Freewill Baptist Church, which built its congregation around the original store.
Farm Stays, Goods and Events
All three of the Ferrell granddaughters have children and full-time careers, so their plans to build a business around their family farm were small and manageable, with a clear vision of preserving the land while serving the local community.
Before Ferrell Supply Market was born, the sisters converted the original farmhouse into a short-term rental property and started hosting farm stays.
“The farmhouse was empty, and when we turned it into an Airbnb, we didn’t think anyone would want to come to Lucama, but we’ve been surprised how people from all over the world have rented the farmhouse,” Bailey says.
The property is a scenic backdrop with farm views and acres upon acres of open farmland that draws people each season. They’ve since hosted two to three small events a year like bridal lunches and family reunions with plans to expand with more events in the future.
They also run a successful online business, which took off when Jenkins started making handmade leather earrings. This inspired the sisters to later host their own vendor events on the farmland to support local small businesses that didn’t have a storefront presence. Online shoppers can now purchase candles, coffee, jewelry and tote bags at ferrellsupply.com, with new items added frequently.
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Farm Supplies to Shopping Destination
Supporting their community, offering high-quality products and experiences, and maintaining the legacy of their family farm are the main drivers for the sisters as they continue Ferrell Supply Market, offering farm stays, selling online goods and hosting events on their family’s land.
“I feel like we’re creating connections and fostering friendships in everything we do,” Bailey says. “People tell us that they especially look forward to the Ferrell Supply Market – it’s an ideal time for our community to come together and also keep our granddad’s legacy alive.”
Expecting an even larger turnout, the spring Ferrell Supply Market is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023, with a rain date the following day. Shoppers can stay updated on Instagram at @ferrellsupply3 or shop online throughout the year at ferrellsupply.com.
–Danielle Rotella Adams
My dad and many of his local farming friends would visit the store, where the church is now located, almost everyday during the week. It is where my family did the weekly grocery shopping on Saturday. It was always a fun time “going to the store” after school for drinks and snacks and seeing Mr. Hubert, Mrs. Nancy, Mr. Bill, and Ms. Ruby. At Christmas we got a big box of fresh fruits, nuts, and various candies. Good memories!
Thank you for sharing these memories. We love hearing these stories.
I would like more info on the farmstays.
How do I find it?