• Login

Justin Timberlake's Favorite Haunt for Sale

www.myfoxmemphis.com
3.4.09

Owner Offers $10,000 Finder's Fee

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Justin Timberlake might have the golden touch, but there's one thing that was as pure as gold before Justin found it - the Shelby Forest General Store . And now the owner is ready to turn his hard work into somebody else's jackpot.

At 75-years-old, you'd think the Shelby Forest General Store would be close to retiring. Instead, it has just changed its beat to fit today's style.

A famous repeat customer considered it "cool enough" for a shout-out on the Grammys.

JT's the neighbor and apparent music inspiration for store owner Doug Ammons.

"You know the turkey wrap? It's all good in the wooded hood. Ain't no confusion, it's understood," Doug shouted from behind the cash register.

Doug is like the character caught inside the country store, undeniable.

He and his wife Kristin have owned the general store/bait shop/restaurant/disc center for six years.

"Ironically, the worse business gets out there, our business is growing. And I think it's just that people are gravitating to the store because it stands as a reminder of yester-year," Doug said.

It's a piece of the past, a slice of Memphis that Doug is ready to part with.

"Family is more important than any business success and we have had an immense amount of fun," he said. "It's been huge. It's been wonderfully gratifying, and very enriching."

The general store and the house have been on the market for almost a year. A few months back, Doug posted a reward on his door for anyone who found him a buyer.

"That is 100 100 dollar bills. A stack of Ben Franklins about an inch and a quarter high. 10,000 cash," Doug said.

When it's sold, Doug and his family will take what they can fit in their hearts.

"And most of all, I'll have a ton of memories about the people," Doug said.

They'll leave behind the store and the house, the community's pride securely displayed on the walls and, the right amount of cool.

Also, Doug, a Memphis State grad, is promising free cheeseburgers the day after the Tigers win the national championship.

By the way, those are the cheeseburgers Justin likes.

03.05.2009. 17:16

This article hasn't been commented yet.