RB Maxwell’s 5-10-25c McDonough, Georgia

The other night I was looking through all of the old newspapers that I have strewn around the guest bedroom, and I discovered a flier for RB Maxwell’s, a dime store that used to be in McDonough, Henry County, Georgia.  The flier was printed in 1943 and was an advertisement for clothing patterns.  I started wondering where in McDonough the store had been and when I voiced this thought everyone said probably at the town square.  BUT, I knew that I could find someone to tell me exactly where it had been.  So I went to Bell, Book and Candle, a little used book store that can be found just off the square in an old mill building just behind (under?) an antique store.  The floor of Bell, Book and Candle still has markers on the floor where lumber would be measured before being cut, and tin, too, for roofs.  Anyway, I knew that Dan Brooks, one of the authors of Haunted Memories of McDonough, Georgia (written to go with The McDonough Haunted History Tour), would be up at the bookstore and he would be able to tell me where the dime store had been.  I had forgotten my digital recorder and my notebook, so I didn’t ask many questions, but I did get pictures.

From what I understand RB Maxwell’s started out just south of the town square on Macon Street.  However, since they weren’t getting much business they ended up moving onto the square.  Dan’s cousin used to work there, so after he called her he was able to give an exact location of the last place the dime store had been.  Prior to the move onto the square he knew that it was over next to where Colonial Grocery Store had been, he just couldn’t remember which store front exactly.

Just south of the town square, looking south down Macon Street.  The dime store was first in one of these store fronts. 

Just south of the town square, looking north down Macon street.  I think Colonial Grocery was the grey store front on the far left in the picture. 

I think this was Colonial Grocery.

The east side of the town square looking south.  This is The Image Doctor, a photo restoration business.  This used to be RB Maxwell’s.  This is two doors down from the old movie theater. 

North looking view of The Image Doctor.  I was pretty pleased to see a photo restoration business here.  I have a photo of my great-grandmother that is just crumbling away.  I need to bring it to them and see if they can save it!  The tall end of the building used to be the movie theater.

 

Hopefully I have all of the information correct.  There isn’t much, but sadly I didn’t think about my recorder or notebook until I pulled into the parking lot.  Next time I have questions I will need to remember to take them with me!

Comments

[Neil Daniell]

Maxwell' Five and Dime was housed in the building that is now home to Chevy's Diner and Pub.

[Stephanie]

Was that the first location or the second? And was it in the same space as Chevy's?

I love Chevy's (though, admittedly, I haven't been there in a couple of years). I need to get back down there!