The Arthurdale Cooperative Store advertised in the May 14, 1937 “Arthurdale Builder” newspaper: two pounds of ground beef cost 31 cents, a 25-pound bag of sugar was $1.27 and a pound of extra-fancy peanut butter cost 19 cents. 

The store also sold work clothing and shoes to the residents of Arthurdale, the first of Roosevelt's 100 New Deal planned subsistence homestead communities founded to improve the quality of life of impoverished Americans. 

Later it became a sort of convenience store, said Jeanne Goodman, executive director of Arthurdale Heritage Inc., the nonprofit organization charged with preserving and promoting the properties. 

A co-op store is once again operating in Arthurdale — in a building that originally housed an Esso gas station. 

The shop is decorated with some historic pieces, including a display of Pharis Roadgripper Tires. Lined up in a case are cans that held pipe tobacco and snuff and boxes of candy no one younger than a Baby Boomer has ever heard of: “Hollywoods 5 cents” and “Pecan Chills 3 cents.” 

Located on W.Va. Route 92 in Arthurdale, the co-op is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 

The manager of the co-op that opened for business Sept. 1 is C. Lee Martinec, Ph.D., former general manager of Mountain People's Market Co-op in Morgantown. The retired university professor is also a clinical exercise physiologist and natural lifestyle practitioner (WV Always).

The shop may be small, but they have a bit of everything. They have bulk grain, flour and what - and if you become a member, you can get 10% off. In addition to all the food, there are trinkets, personal care items, natural items, and more. 

If you're in the area, definitely stop by and check it out.