[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MARTIN GROCER PENNY STORE

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Vicksburg, Mississippi's tiniest and oldest grocery store, Martin 
Grocer Penny Store. Martin Grocer Penny Store has been a thriving force 
in Vicksburg, MS for nearly fifty years.
  Martin Grocer Penny Store was a single-room grocery attached to Ms. 
Exelena Martin's home. The store remains mostly in its original 
condition. The loud clank of the cowbell alerted Ms. Martin when she 
had customers. The ceiling slants at a steep pitch and is less than 6 
feet high at the northern wall. Two bare light bulbs provided all the 
light shoppers needed in the full service store which had no particular 
hours.
  The 83-year-old Exelena Martin decided it was time to retire in 
November 2015. Martin's is an example of a small business weathering 
the test of time.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Martin 
Grocer Penny Store for its longevity and dedication to serving 
Vicksburg, MS.




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