Come for a couple hours or a day. Plan to have lunch at the Country Store or a snack at the coffee shop. An old town with some very unique stores that has had many improvements in the last few years.
I grew up on a farm 2 miles south of Grabill and remember the glory days when the small towns where the hub of the community. The quick trip to town, when a bolt broke on the disc. Once a week to grind feed for the cows, pigs, and chickens. In those days there were two grist mills in town.
Every Saturday night meant a shopping trip to Grabill. The bandwagon was rolled out in the middle of Main Street, and a local group preformed, or perhaps Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers, or The Redbirds. A stop for candy at the General Store and a soda at the drugstore. At the end of the evening there was a free drawing sponsored by the merchants. Take home a case of pop, 24 bottles of assorted soda for a buck.
Grabill began in 1902 when the Wabash Railroad came through and made a water stop on the Joe Grabill farm. When the train stopped passengers could board, therefore a station was built. Harlan and Leo, just 2 mi away were settled 70 years earlier and were thriving towns. But Grabill took off like a rocket. The railroad drew many people to town, and businesses sprung up quickly.
We moved to town nearly a half decade ago, never intending to stay living in town. The town seemed to go downhill for years. The grocery went out and for years we had no grocery store. Some years ago an Amish businessman, brought Save-A-Lot to town, and build a bulk grocery store.
He bought and remodeled the old Souder Furniture building, remodeled the Elias Ruff building for a coffee shop, and build a 6 unit apartment house on “The Slab.” 17 years ago a businessman had planned on building a store on the main intersection and had poured a huge slab. This stood as an eyesore, until the Amish guy planned how it could be used.
The most unique store is H. Souder and Sons General Store. The proprietors, Beth and Sasha, are direct descendants of Henry Souder.
Beth started working in the original General Store when she was 8 years old. Her displays are beautiful. The store is quite rustic and quite unique.
Each time my grandkids visit, it means a trip to the Candy Store. Over the years we have many memories.
Pick a beautiful day, bring your appetite, and spend a few hours exploring or just hanging out. I haven’t mentioned many of the businesses, like the completely remodeled Old Barn Restaurant. If it is a beautiful summer day, you’ll probably find me at the Candy Store, with a Mexican Coke and a bag of licorice.
—James Neuhouser
