Business & Tech
Step Back in Time at Harbins Country Store
Each week we feature a business from our hometown of Dacula.This week learn more about Harbins Country Store.
Dana Smith owns with his partners Danny and Trina McDaniel. Located at 1941 Harbins Road, Smith and company took over ownership of the store in 2008. The store has been in existence since the 1940s. I recently sat down to talk with Dana about the business.
Patch: How did you and your partners come to own Harbin's Country Store?
Dana: We've owned the store for the past two and a half years. The last few incarnations of the store was toted as just a straight feed store. The Hintons who owned it before us concentrated on feed and seed. We've added more items to make it more of a general country store. The store itself was opened in the 40s and we actually have the original sign hanging from our counter. The woman who still owns the property that we're on, her father actually built the store.
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Patch: What is the best part about owning Harbins Country Store?
Dana: Just being a part of the community. You know we're just an old fashioned country store and getting to know the people who come in here. We have a lot of regulars who come in and we're friends with them at this point.
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Patch: What's the most challenging aspect of owning Harbins Country Store?
Dana: Keeping the doors open if you want to know the truth. You know the economy is tough right now so trying to find quality products that we can give people at a fair price is a challenge these days.
Patch: What is unique about Harbins Country Store?
Dana: Well we carry things that you just can't get anywhere else anymore. Old fashioned candy and old fashioned sodas that are original recipes made with cane sugar -- just some unique local items like honey from Loganville and fresh country sausage that's made up in Statham. We carry feed and stuff like that as well but a lot of it is hard to find, nostalgic items that you would find in an old country store. We're one of the few that are hanging on.
Patch: What makes the Dacula community special?
Dana: Just the people. There are a lot of good people who come in and I've gotten to know a lot of them. There's still a little bit of country left out here being surrounded by the city there's still a little bit of country left in Dacula.
Harbins Country Store is opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.