RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF H.G. GREENE GENERAL STORE

On 2026-07-29, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF H.G. GREENE GENERAL STORE" in the Senate.

RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF H.G. GREENE GENERAL STORE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 124 (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 124 (Wednesday, July 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S4332] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF H.G. GREENE GENERAL STORE Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a multigenerational American small business that has proudly served the community of Ronda, NC, for 150 years: H.G. Greene's General Store. Founded in 1876 by James Clignman ``J.C.'' Greene, H.G. Greene's General Store is Wilkes County's oldest retail business. Born in 1856, J.C. Greene was orphaned after the passing of his parents William and Frances Canady Greene in 1863. As a young man, J.C. Greene opened the doors to his first general store at the same four-way intersection in Wilkes County where it remains operational today. The store is named after Harry ``H.G.'' Greene, who started working in the store at the age of 12 after his father J.C. was injured in a fall. He operated the store until about a year before he died at the age of 89 in 1993. Harry's son Bob and his wife Darlene Greene now continue the family legacy, constructing a new storefront in 1973 near the original store site in the Yadkin Valley. Later, the Greene family expanded the general store's footprint to incorporate a second location in Jonesville. Generations of North Carolinians have relied on this historic retailer as a one-stop shop for everything from produce and baked goods to artisanal goods, apparel, and outdoor gear. And the general store's front porch has long been a consistent community hub for North Carolinians to gather. I firmly believe that what makes America's family-owned and operated small businesses endure across generations is not simply their longevity, but their unwavering commitment to the communities they serve. These businesses become more than places of commerce; they become gathering places, trusted neighbors, and cornerstones of local life. Through changing times and economic challenges, they continue to show up for their communities with the same dedication that first earned them the trust of their customers. Without a shadow of doubt, H.G. Greene's General Store has lived up to that standard. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 150th anniversary of H.G. Greene's General Store with a round of applause for this great American small business. ____________________