Vance's Grill

Vance Davis has been farming in Sandy Bottom since he was about 6 years old.

Now 75, he decided to open a convenience store in 1999 on the family property.

“When I got ready to quit farming,” Davis said, “I just needed to help my standard of living.”

But Davis didn’t quit farming. In fact, his wife, Kinston native Phyllis Casey Davis, brings him lunch out at the farm when he won’t stop his work to come home to eat.

Vance’s Convenience Mart, a short distance from Jacksons Crossroads, had been leased out since 2006 until this year, Davis’ son Van Davis said.

Davis recently remodeled the store and re-opened it Aug. 2.

Selling commodities and gas, the market now offers customers a sparkling new grill, which opened Oct. 14.