When Don McIntyre purchased Crossroads Market in Gamewell, he wanted to remodel it and turn it into a store that meets the needs of the community. If early impressions are any indication, he and his employees have done that.

Crossroads Market, a long-standing business of 56 years at the corner of N.C. 18 and Calico Road in the Gamewell community, has been transformed into more than just a place to get gas, milk and bread. Sure, those necessities are still available for purchase along with the standard staples offered at convenience stores – soft drinks, cigarettes, snacks – but Crossroads offers so much more these days.

Renovations have been ongoing since McIntyre, a retired pastor and college seminary professor from Polk County, purchased the store in September. His vision was to turn it into something to benefit the community and its residents.

“I had six stores some years ago, and I just enjoy people,” said McIntyre, who grew up in Asheville and drives to Crossroads each day from Tryon. “I wanted to spend time with people again. I spent a year looking for a store to buy. I wanted it to be a non-lottery store in a dry county. I found this store. It’s a in a good area, and I enjoy the people here very much. I’m here every day, when I don’t want to go hunting or fishing.”

McIntyre, with the assistance of his store manager Wanda Miller, has transformed Crossroads into an all-around general store, starting with the look, both inside and out. They have taken the nostalgic approach, with wooden walls covered with pieces of antique art depicting days gone by, a simpler time in American life. Those walls are adorned with antique Coca-Cola signs, soda bottles, baskets and tools used in country settings.

“We want to offer everything people would find in a general store,” said Miller who worked 14 years with The Pantry before working for BCW Properties and the late Jim Crump.

That also meant the addition of a deli in the store. McIntyre and Miller set about establishing a full deli that now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, everything from biscuits to sandwiches. The deli already has gained quite a customer base for its takeout service, and offers catering and trays for parties.

“We’ve had overwhelming support,” Miller said of the renovations and additions already made at the store. “People constantly walk up to us and thank us for the renovations, the cleanliness and addition of new things. We have people ask if they can just make pictures here, reminiscing about the time when they came here as youngsters. People have been very supportive of the renovations.”

And they’re not finished. Plans are in the works to add more features at Crossroads Market. McIntyre said a vacant room now used for storage will be converted into a feed/seed center, with a garden center and fishing supply area set for future expansion projects.

More than expansions, McIntyre said he wants the store to be a focal point of the community and wants to be involved with activities, whether contributing to events taking place or hosting them.

“We think we can give back to the community; we want to be active with what’s going on,” he said.

Along that line of thinking, McIntyre said plans moving forward include scheduling one Saturday a month to host some type of event for the community. It may be bluegrass music, an arts and crafts display or maybe even a visit from a local veterinarian.

“There used to be a time when anything that happened took place at the country store,” Miller said. “We want this store to be a focal point of the community.”

Added McIntyre, “We want people to know we’re putting something back rather than just being here to do business. We want to accommodate our customers. We want to make sure we provide a family atmosphere, getting to know our customers by name and make them feel good about being here with us.”

Crossroads Market, located at 3153 Morganton Blvd., Lenoir, is open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. The deli is open the same hours, with the exception of Sunday when it is closed. Contact Crossroads Market by calling 828-754-5017.