“If we had any history at all, and because we do have a history, it is because we are blessed. It is the good people of Limestone County who had faith in us, believed in us, befriended us and supported us. That’s where it was made possible and it has been a complete joy and honor to serve them,” general manager Darell Lee said of the more than 40 years of success experienced by Hometown Grocery in Athens.

Hometown Grocery has been a staple in Athens since its opening in 1982 in the old A&P building in the Crutcher Center. In 1990, Hometown moved to its current location in the Athens Shopping Center. The popular grocery store expanded in 2013 by opening a second location on Highway 31. Lee, who has been with Hometown since the beginning, gives all the credit for success to the store’s customers and staff.

“Second to the customers, the employees have made it happen. They are the ones who make it work from day-to-day and have made it work from day one. They have been super. They have been loyal. They come in tirelessly from day-to-day,” Lee said.

Lee recalled hard times Athens faced during the past 42 years and how the Hometown Grocery employees shined despite it all.

“In the 2011 tornadoes, these guys just kept coming in and making it happen every day. Then you go into the snow storms, the employees, they are here. Some of them stay in hotels or with relatives so they can stay close by and get to work. They just make it take place,” Lee said. “Not even to mention the pandemic. They just worked tirelessly.”

He continued, “If we have any history, it’s because of the customers and the employees who have just made it happen. I take my hat off to both of them I am just happy to have been alongside,” Lee said.

It is Lee’s hope that customers at Hometown Grocery have a pleasant experience when shopping at either of locations by providing courteous service and quality meats, produce and other items.

“We enjoy the people. They are just wonderful and the best part of it– our customers and our co-workers,” Lee said. “Thank you. A big thank you. It has been a wonderful relationship that’s lasted and we look forward to continuing.”