For decades, village life centered around the church and the general store. In Fulford, this well established tradition is disappearing with the closing, in September, of Wright’s general store.

The landmark store has been the focus of Davis Street since 1865. Oscar Davis bought it 1939. As Carla Wright, one of the present owners told Tempo, “the store used to sell everything, from food to electrical appliances.’’

Carla and Robert Wright took over the store from Robert’s parents in 1986. “That’s 34 years of memory, of the village, its people and how good they have been to us, the sense of community,’’ muses Carla with a bit of nostalgia.

Selling the store was an option at first, but “Canada Post could not guarantee that the new purchasers could keep the Post Office’’ explains Carla who will remain as Post Master after the store closes. Robert, incidentally, will continue as postman in Fulford.

Maintaining the general store had become a very demanding task emotionally and financially explains the co-owner. Securing suppliers has been a problem while trying to keep prices competitive.

General stores were thriving before people could travel to larger stores by car; now there isn’t much of a future for them.

For now, the venerable old building will house the Post Office and Carla intends to sell her baking and crafts until they try later on to sell it to someone who would be ready to do something entirely different with the historic venue.

“We are sad to be closing, but it’s been a wonderful experience and we are grateful to our community.’’

And so is the thankful community that is losing a part of its history and its soul.