TOUR: Matthews Market - Mappsville, VA

Matthews Market

Owner: Bruce Matthews

Opened: 1991

Cooperative: none
Location: 14141 Lankford Hwy, Mappsville, VA

Photographed: December 2019

As devoted readers of my blogs will know, I enjoy visiting the unique and out-of-the-way stores. So when I drove by the Matthews Market in Mappsville, VA, I knew I had to see it. And it didn't disappoint. Although the 5500 square foot store is on the older side and a bit dingy, it didn't disappoint. It's packed full of a huge range of groceries given its small footprint. The store opened in 1991 in a former IGA, but I don't know if it was previously a different supermarket before the IGA.

A local news outlet did a great profile of the store back in 2016 for the store's 25th anniversary. Let's head in and check out what's inside!

In the first aisle, all the way to the left, we have frozen foods and produce, plus lots of snack and candy items. We have, coincidentally, two very different height photos from this same aisle, where it looks like I'm extremely tall (above), and extremely short...

As we can see, the place is packed with stuff. And as we also see, the store interior is quite old but it's in good shape for the most part, doesn't seem like it's slipped in maintenance. I'm trying to remember the exact layout based on my memory and these pictures, and if I'm not mistaken, there are actually four sets of cases on the left wall of the store: frozen, produce, more frozen, and beer/beverages.

Looking back up towards the front of the store. We can see customer service in the front corner, packed with general merchandise and HABA too. There's not many other choices for shopping around here, so I think this store does a good business based on its location. There's a Food Lion seven miles north in Oak Hall and another 13 miles south, which we'll be seeing tomorrow.

It looks like Matthews was originally IGA-affiliated, but they're now independent using the Best Yet storebrand. They don't use a circular, either.

As we can see, the store is a full supermarket. It's definitely not just a large convenience store, or a liquor store with some groceries too, which I was afraid of before going in.

Plenty of nonfoods, too. There's a Walmart about 15 miles south.

In the back of the store is the centerpiece of the store, the meat department. We can see the butcher counter and packaged meat to the left, with cold cuts and similar items here in the middle of the back wall.

Some great older fixtures here, which give the store personality. Like I said, it feels outdated but not neglected.

And here's some interesting re-merchandising in the last aisle, with former soda shelving now displaying international foods.

If I'm not mistaken, the deli is in that back corner.

And here's a quick look at the front end, with a register barely visible and HABA and wine behind customer service. They really pack it in here! Tomorrow, we're heading south for a Food Lion over on The Market Report!