Bluegrass, Storytelling Return to Todd General

By Joel Frady

Much like green leaves on trees, activity flocks to the small town of Todd with the arrival of warm weather.

Tourists return to tube the New River while bluegrass musicians and storytellers once again bring their art to the Todd General Store.

"We try to highlight the Appalachian cultures," said Virginia "Gini" Mann, who has owned the general store with her husband, Bob, for the past seven years. "Generally we try to have old-time, homey, good-feeling goodness here," she added, noting that the entertainment they offer is suitable for anyone aged "zero to 95."

Mann said that the store had a bluegrass jam when they purchased it seven years ago, and they have added storytelling and visits from local artists and authors.

"We work hard because we want to make sure that the cultural events that are indicative to the mountains still continue, and that people have the opportunity to hear the storytellers and the history of the mountains, to hear the bluegrass music and see what the artisans of today are doing," said Bob Mann.

The Todd General Store closes down entirely during the cold winter months of January and February before re-opening in March. In late May, the cultural events will return on a weekly basis with storytelling on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. (with a meal beforehand); bluegrass at 7 p.m. on Fridays, with a meal at 6 p.m.; and in-house artists and authors on Saturdays. All the events are free and open to the public.

Virginia Mann said that a "lot of people" walk in and out of the general store during the summer, and they estimated that they see 50,000 to 60,000 customers each year. The store, which has been continually operated since Walter and Annie Cook built it in 1914, also offers a variety of jams, jellies, furniture and antiques.

Hungry patrons can also enjoy ice cream or sandwiches from what Bob Mann calls "a pretty massive deli menu" featuring "the best Philly steak sandwich in the area" along with crab cakes, fried bologna, kosher reubens and mahi mahi in the summer. Diners can enjoy two decks the store offers: one in the front that's usually sunny, or one in the back that provides more shade.

Whether they're cooking or listening to music, the Manns say that they each generally work around 70 hours a week but have a good time in the process.

"Most of the people that come through the door become friends," said Virginia. "We're pretty friendly, my husband's pretty crazy, and we have a good time." She noted that many of the store's regulars aren't from the High Country, either, and come from all over North Carolina and the United States.

"We try to be accommodating to a lot of people," said Bob Mann. "Sometimes their first impression of the North Carolina mountains are the owners of the Todd General Store, so you have to make a good impression."

To find out more about the Todd General Store, call (336) 877-1067.