Middletown, Missouri: population 171. 

Some would describe it as the proverbial blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of town. Locals would refute that, however. 

And travelers may want to take note and visit one of the town’s downtown secrets, as nestled in the heart of Middletown is a quaint little store owned by Terri Thomas: Middletown Country Store.

For a store that dates back to the early 1900s and rebuilt in 1918 after a fire, it stands strong today. Lindell and Fern Thomas, along with their son and daughter-in-law; Keith and Terri, purchased the store from Wanda Baugh in April 1985. The business had been closed for months when Fern decided to take it on. Terri says Fern loved her little town and hated to see it without a grocery store.Terri helped her mother-in-law although no one was aware she was part owner of the business. 

There’s no doubt the store was a family affair. The Thomas’ kids grew up working there along with their mom and grandma and when Fern passed, the store was naturally Terri’s to take over. 

“I never wanted to be boss, 17 years later I still don’t like being boss,” Terri said in a recent interview. 

One of her biggest challenges is keeping the cooling units functioning.  She said - like many things - the units are not made like the old ones. Inflation is another concern; groceries that used to go up 10 cents have now increased by dollars. It has also been more difficult getting groceries to Middletown as many trucks have stopped delivering to small stores. To keep a good selection of products, Terri and her staff drive out of town to pick up food.

Food keeps the store on the map and the meals are a favorite among diners. The store opens sharply at six a.m. for breakfast and the “coffee drinkers.” Terri said her favorite feature of the store is that small-town feeling and when someone walks in, you know them by name. A lunch special is served weekdays with fried chicken being a huge hit alternating Wednesdays. Thomas and her team fry 14 chickens and serve 20-50 people those days. There is also a deli meat counter where meat and cheese trays can be ordered. Shoppers will also notice a box sitting on the only check-out counter in the store. It’s a memorial box Fern started years ago. Patrons can contribute to assist with funeral costs, and more for families in the community.

It’s been a team effort at the store and Terri and her staff would like to thank everyone who has worked at it throughout the years. 

“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she commented. 

If one should find themselves driving through Middletown, it is worth a stop. 

“I love it to death,” Terri said. “I thought I would retire but I want to keep it open.”