WOODVILLE — Arbuthnot’s Grocery was the center of its Woodville community for 43 years, and the store may soon receive national recognition for its history.

Arbuthnot’s Grocery on Pinckneyville Road was built in 1955 and was owned and operated by the late Willie and Estelle Arbuthnot, who served many families in need by providing credit — even when families were unable to pay off their previous debt.

Now, the late owners’ granddaughter and other family members are working to have the store placed on the National Register of Historic Places. She hopes to transform the property into a museum and cultural attraction.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History visited the site on 8990 Pinckneyville Road, Jacqueline Arbuthnot said, and based on their preliminary evaluation, Arbuthnot’s Grocery is eligible to be listed on the National Register because of its history as a black-owned rural store.

Jacqueline, who lives in Atlanta, is the granddaughter of Willie and Estelle. She was born in Los Angeles but spent her childhood with her grandparents — working in the grocery store from the age of 7 until high school.

“I was there to witness everything that went on,” she said.

It was the acts of love shown by her grandparents to those who would step through the doors of the grocery store that prompted Jacqueline and family to restore, preserve and develop the land legacy of Arbuthnot’s Grocery.

A formal, written nomination to be placed on the National Registered — which falls under the National Park Service — is being prepared.

“The idea is to use the land legacy once again to benefit the public by featuring a historical site and cultural attraction that will provide new income opportunity for the community and for my family legacy,” Jacqueline said.

However, the site is in need of repairs, which is why Jacqueline is hosting a fundraiser starting at noon Saturday at 8990 Pinckneyville Road in Woodville.

The fundraiser will sell chicken and fish plates, provide musical entertainment with a DJ and take up donations for the restoration of Arbuthnot’s Grocery.

“All proceeds will go toward restoring the grocery store, along with the house my grandparents once lived in,” she said. “The grocery store and the home will be marked as historical landmarks.”

Arbuthnot’s Grocery and the family’s home are in need of roof repairs, Jacqueline said.

The family is currently in the planning stages of filing for a non-profit status for the soon to be historical landmark.

Arbuthnot’s Grocery not only stocked everything a common grocery store would have, but the storeowners built relationships with their customers, Jacqueline said.

“People would come and hang around to just talk and drink a cold soda,” Jacqueline said.

“I was at the grocery store at a particular time, and I thought I had to restore it. My grandmother made my life very comfortable.”

Jacqueline’s daughters, Billie Harris and Adrianne Stewart of Atlanta, said the story of Arbuthnot’s Grocery and their great-grandmother, Estelle, is worth sharing.

“My great-grandmother ran that store from her heart,” Stewart said. “She was always about the people and she deserves every recognition.”

Stewart said she simply wishes Estelle were here to see everything unfold.

“(Estelle) was half black and white, but she was very respected and cared about her people,” Stewart said. “She was a huge part of my life.”

Willie died in October 1967. After his death, Estelle carried on by helping many individuals until her death in November 1998.

“I was 16 when she died,” Stewart said. “I can remember staying at her house when people would come over wanting something from the store. Since the store was right across from her house, no matter what time it was she would go to the store and let them in.

“I was instilled with many values growing up with my great-grandmother. I would never forget that.”

Harris could recall spending most of her youth in the grocery store.

“I had a playpen in the corner of the store when I was a baby,” she said. “By the time I was 12 or 13 I was helping my great-grandmother run the store. She would make sure everything ran smoothly.”

Harris said Arbuthnot’s Grocery made an impact on the entire community, which is why people should attend the fundraiser.

“It kept the community alive and it fed lots of families with children. That store has a legacy.”

Contributions for the restoration of Arbuthnot’s Grocery can be made to Jacqueline at P.O. Box 1795, Powder Springs, GA, 30127.

Those who wish to donate can also call 404-717-2056 or email jfa0113@gmail.com.