by John Mooy
Sorry to say I missed another grand opening. This one on Main Street in Marcellus. The renovation, restoration and rejuvenation of one of the best community markets in the country. In operation since 1917. The market has been under the direction of the Terrill family for 108 years.
The supermarket has by every stretch of the imagination been super to say the least. I cannot tell you how happy I am that the service will continue. This also means the stories will continue and I can recall my share.
When Bus Terrill could be found working behind the display case at the back of the store my dad would often go in on Saturdays and say, “Bus, we’re having a total of seven people for Sunday dinner,” and that was all he had to say. Bus would give him a cut of meat that would serve that many people.
My guess is the tradition started back when Bus’s Dad Elmer owned and, I believe, started the store. Often times when you checked out at the front of the store it was Bus’s wife Pete who would “ring you up.” She could carry on a conversation with anyone.
Most of you probably best recall Ron Terrill serving the community as he was the most recent worker before his grandson Blake took over the business. Ron had quite the sense of humor and always wore that bandana around the top of his head. He always good naturedly referred to my dad as “Nater” instead of Nat, which was his given name. Ron was always willing to talk about the Chicago Cubs with you being one of their fans. It should be noted that Ron’s humor for the most part disappeared when he took the mound for the Wildcats as a starting pitcher that had opposing batters shaking in their cleats.
And then there was Ron’s brother Rod. Rod would often serve the store as a carry out taking groceries to a customers’ cars for them. His “famous” tradition took place on Saturday afternoon’s during the Major League Baseball season. Being a big Tiger fan, Rod always had his channel master radio with him to “catch” the Tiger game. His tradition was to stop whatever he was doing, and whoever he might be serving and stand at attention with his hand over his heart during the playing of the National Anthem. Once the anthem was over work could continue.
As a little kid I vividly recall those wonderful Saturday mornings when several of my neighborhood pals and myself were headed to the Rocky River to explore. I had an army issue knapsack and inside was a skillet and small can of Sterno for cooking. What better to cook than thirty-five cents worth of fresh hamburger from Terrill’s.
Terrill’s Market has played a role in the lives of virtually everyone from Marcellus. I would make the case that Blake Terrill is now the right guy at the right time. Blake recognizes the importance of history, tradition and well… good meat.
I understand the store looks great and the friendly service will carry on. It is my opinion that all of the Terrills who were part of the store previously would be both happy and proud of what is happening now.
Have a great week, Marcellus. You’re the best.
I had a pun about steak I was going to share with you, but it wasn’t very well done.
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