Willie's famous 'dogs' to get new address
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 28, 2014 1:50 AM
The white clapboard country store on the corner of N.C. 581 across from Rosewood Middle School has never had all the bells and whistles of the bigger chains.
But for residents in that community, Rosewood Food Liner had something better -- Willie Summerlin.
For the past 38 years, he has offered more than convenience items and a tank of gas. He also served up many an ice cream cone and his "famous Willie Dog."
"Especially in the summertime, about lunchtime, everybody would come out and grab a hot dog," says longtime friend Danny Hope.
When word spread recently that the property owner had rented the store to someone else and not renewed Summerlin's lease at year's end, loyal patron Kim Hill grieved publicly on Facebook, inviting folks to stop by and express their appreciation for all the years Summerlin had been in their midst.
The site has grown from just a little corner store to a great community asset, she said.
"Memories of Rosewood Foodliner is like reliving my childhood," she said. "The store has been such a part of the community that it truly feels like family."
She said Summerlin and his staff always greeted folks by name and developed a familiar rapport with those in the surrounding area.
"He watched me grow up, watched my children grow up and has been there through the times of losing some of my family," she said. "So I guess my best memory is that he has been my friend.
"For 38 years we have been able to walk through those doors and not only get the best hot dog around, but we could enjoy a visit with our friend."
It may be a small grocery store but you know you're "home" when you see it, Amber Goodson said.
"It not only saddens me because they have the best hot dogs ever -- they really are fantastic -- or because the ice cream is delightful, especially on a cone, but because of the feeling Mr. Willie and his employees give their customers," she said. "Any time I would go in there after school or with my mom, we would stop and talk with Mr. Willie."
April Tyndall still lives in Rosewood. Now married with two children, she has fond memories of her own childhood visits to the store.
"When my sister and I were young, our grandaddy J.B. would let us ride with him to take the trash to the dump. On the way back home we would always stop at the Food Liner to get a drink and some candy. Those were his favorite," she said. "We went every single Saturday morning. It was our tradition. We always looked forward to Saturdays.
"This coming March will make 10 years since our grandaddy passed away. Now as an adult when I pass by the Food Liner, I can still see us pulling up to the store and jumping out and rushing in to get us some goodies. I'm going to miss that Food Liner."
For Katie Smith, now 26 and living in Morehead City, the end of an era made her "kind of emotional" to talk about. Katie practically grew up in the store, she said. Her mother, Melissa Smith, has worked there more than 15 years, and it was Katie's first job, from age 15 to 17.
"He's been like a member of our family and he has treated mama and I like family," she said. "He's just been benevolent, very compassionate and he could make a hot dog quicker than anybody.
"I can remember a line forming and he'd just make a dozen hot dogs like no other."
The store was more than a convenient place to pick up a container of milk or a loaf of bread, though, many said.
It was also a gathering place and where folks would go for information or the latest gossip.
"For instance, when there's a fire in the neighborhood and everyone can hear the alarm go off, they'll call the store and ask, 'Which way did the fire trucks go?'" Katie said.
Dan Jones used to be the delivery man for Little Debbie products at the store. He also recalled back in the day when the store sold non-ethanol gas.
"I have known Willie and his family for close to 40 years," he said last week during a lunchtime stop to get "one of those Bright Leaf hot dogs."
"They tell me he's going to get an extra 40 pounds of hot dogs for all the people expected to show up (this week)," he said.
Another steady customer, Jeff Jones said he'd been coming in for probably 15 years.
"He will be missed," he said of the proprietor.
Hope called Summerlin "a great guy, a family guy. He looks after everybody that walks through the door."
Summerlin, 64, shrugged off all the accolades, humbly admitting he didn't think he had done "anything spectacular."
"Snow, sleet, we always had the doors open," he said. "I've appreciated having 38 years. They gave me a good life."
He said he hadn't decided when his official last day will be, but expects it will be later this week.
While the Rosewood community will feel the void he leaves behind, Summerlin promises he will be taking his hot dogs and jovial service just up the road apiece, to 3750 Stevens Mill Road near Grantham.