Ronnie’s Country Store Sold To New Owners

FOUR OAKS – A cornerstone to Four Oaks and the southern Johnston County community has been sold.

Ronnie’s Country Store, on US 701 at Interstate 95, opened today (January 1, 2025) under new ownership. Andrew Carroll, his father, Mike Carroll, and George Massengill Jr. purchased the business from sisters Kasey Parker Thorne and Kelly Parker Thornton effective January 1.

Andrew Carroll said there will be no changes to the beloved gathering spot. “We want to run the store how Ronnie ran the store, and how his daughters ran the store. We want to continue to be a place for people to go. It will remain a family atmosphere country store with no changes whatsoever.”

Ronnie Parker grew up in a farm family outside of Four Oaks. In 1976, after returning home from the U.S. Navy, he continued the family tradition by raising tobacco, soybeans, corn, cows and livestock. In 1982 he married his wife, Karen.

His daughter Kasey Parker Thorne said, “Ronnie was a plain Jane country boy from Johnston County who wanted to get out of farming for a while. On November 1, 1984, he bought an old two-bay service station from Valton Coats on Keen Road, and later converted it from a Gulf station to BP. He prospered because of his kindness and willingness to help others. It came back to him ten fold over the years.”

After 20 years at the Keen Road (Exit 87) location, I-95 construction forced Ronnie to relocate to the current location on US 701 (Exit 90).

Helping Others
Ronnie never met a stranger, and it seems strangers often came to Ronnie for help.

“Ronnie helped a lot of people others wouldn’t help. People down on their luck, others would look the other way, he didn’t. If you needed $5 or some gas, he would give it to you without expecting to be paid back. He helped out those people,” Kasey Parker Thorne remembers about her father.

“There were a lot of people who worked for him over the years – people who needed a second chance – he gave them a chance when no one else would. He had faith. It helped him prosper and he reaped the benefits of his kindness.”

“Thirty years ago Ronnie gave a customer credit when no one else did. He became one of our biggest customers because he remembered Ronnie helped him when other businesses wouldn’t. Ronnie gave him a chance.”

Kasey reflected on the day when her father could no longer change tires due to a shoulder injury. A stranded traveler showed up needing a tire changed. The tire shop was closed. Ronnie changed the tire himself, not worried if the woman could pay for it or how it would further harm his shoulder.

Ronnie loved to grow produce, especially corn and watermelons. “Until his dying day, when we had produce at the store, Ronnie made sure the elderly were taken care of. He gave produce away to the elderly in the community.”

“I told myself growing up, my Dad did this for us. As a child he said the store would take care of you, not to depend on social security. As long as he was living I would help him. He couldn’t trust no one better than his two children and his nephew, Greg.”

On January 4, 2023, Ronnie Parker died after a brief battle with cancer. He was 70.

“Before he died, I told him I didn’t want to do it without him. He knew this was not what we wanted to do, and we did it to help him. In the end he proved he could be successful.”

After Ronnie’s death, Kasey and Kelly wanted to prove to themselves they could run the store.

“After he passed away, we had to do a lot more than we were use to doing. Without him it wasn’t the same. Doing paperwork, ordering, scheduling and on call 24-7,” Kasey said.

“The first year, we kept it operating and to prove to ourselves that we could run it without Daddy. Daddy knew we could, and we did.”

“After the first year we got settled into a routine, but being responsible for a lot of employees, working nights and weekends, it takes a toll on you and your personal life, looking at your phone, and making sure no one had called in sick.”

“Early in 2024, it really took its toll on me,” Kasey said.

Transition
It was time to make a change.

“I reached out to a couple of people. Both said it wasn’t the right choice. Andrew Carroll approached me in May 2024.”

Family Values
Andrew was first introduced to Ronnie Parker as a child, when his grandfather, Carl Lamm, would take him to Ronnie’s Country Store to see Ronnie. “I remember them visiting. I remember how much Ronnie and my grandfather were alike. They were down-to-earth and men of their word. Their bond played a role in us being able to buy the business today. Kasey and Kelly know we will carry on their traditions and values that made them so successful. It was important to them and it’s important to us.”

“Dad loved Carl Lamm to death,” Kasey added. “Andrew grew up in the community, we know his whole family, and could trust them if they bought the business. They know a lot of people in the community, they are well-known and they’re already successful, and very easy to work with. And they are good at business and were confident we chose the right people to purchase the store, allowing us to pursue our personal goals for the rest of our lives.”

The Next Chapter
Kasey and Kelly plan to remain in Four Oaks and still shop at Ronnie’s, but not be burdened with running the business.

They shared the news with customers and friends over the past few weeks.

“Most of the people who watched us grow up support us. A few don’t understand the sacrifies and what it takes. If they did they would understand why we’re getting out. I’ve help Dad since I was 8. I still can’t wrap my mind around what our father did and left us. I felt obligated as a child to support a parent. Now its time to pursue some of our personal goals,” Kasey said while working at the store on December 31, her last official day as a co-owner.

“We appreciate the Town of Four Oaks, the community, our customers, for the 40 years that Daddy and our family was here. I want to make sure everyone knows how grateful we are for the support over the years.”

Small Town Tradition Continues
Andrew Carroll, the new co-owner, said he plans to continue the tradition that Ronnie Parker established, including keeping the same business name and products.

“We want to run Ronnie’s Country Store how Ronnie ran the store. This will continue to be a place for people to stop by, whether they need gas, tires, soft drinks, or hand dipped ice cream. We want to continue to be a helping hand and be there for the community. It will always be a place for people to go buy a nab and soft drink, or sit down and enjoy some ice cream, and see their neighbors.”

Greg Barefoot, Ronnie’s nephew, will remain as a co-owner and continue to operate the tire shop.

Ronnie’s Country Store is located at 280 US 701 South, Four Oaks, NC. They are open seven days a week, from 5:00am until 10:00pm. The phone number is 919-989-3045.