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It was built in 1939 by Uncle Wade Ensley who owned the land and sawed the timber to build the original store. The Cane Creek Grocery became “the everything store”! The store in Union Mills is a stop to get just about anything you need. Located at 4982 U.S. Highway 64, it opens at 5:30 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. It not only sells groceries, pet food, farm animal food, meats, fresh produce, fertilizer, seed, and things from the grill but also will change your vehicles oil and do repairs as well as sell you gas.
The original owner eventually was Norris Lane who came to work there when he was 17 years old. Because of World War II and lack of supplies, the store closed for a while but reopened in 1946. Norris and his wife, affectionately known as MaMa Winnie to everyone became a very important part of the Union Mills community. Most of the customers were their neighbors and friends. Norris married Winnie in 1949 and the had two children, Patsy and Dale. When Patsy married she had two boys, Michael and Brian. Dale had one boy, Jared. Everybody worked at the store part time or full time. Cane Creek Grocery was truly a family affair.
In 1999 Norris Lane sold his store. He had lost his beloved wife, Winnie to cancer in 1998. However, to everyone of the Lane children and grandchildren, things just weren’t the same. They all missed the place they grew up and the community they served. The store was such a great part of their lives that Norris grandson, Brian finally told his grandfather that the store needed to be back in the family and he bought it back. Brian inquired, proposed, and closed the deal to buy the store on a Tuesday. The store was officially back in the family on April 16, 2012.
Once again, the entire family works there. For mechanical work Brian’s brother Michael takes care of everything. Dale’s son Jared is now the manager of the store. Patsy is also very involved.
Brian said when he bought the store back: “...everybody was thrilled to have us return. I’m very glad it’s back in the family again. It’s where we belong. Our store is the center of the community.” The store still has the honor system that Grandpa Norris started. Local people can charge and pay at the end of the month. There is no interest on the charges. As the family says: “It’s just another way we can serve the community and our neighbors.” The name officially is now Cane Creek Grocery and Grill. The two biggest things that take place is the “steak night” on the second Friday of every month when extra tables are bought in for a variety of special complete dinners offered.
Also, every Tuesday, it’s “pickin’ time at Cane Creek!” Brian, along with other friends and family all get together inside the store and sing and play blue grass and gospel. Anyone is welcome to come play with them. There is no charge, just a good toe tappin’ time for everyone. Brian also has plans to build a deck out back where folks can come, eat, share stories and “sit a spell”
Cane Creek has also created some very popular items. Aside from good biscuits in the morning and popular Creek Burgers, the store has invented the “Mac Dog” - a hot dog with macaroni and cheese on it. Their mac and cheese is so popular, they now serve another original creation, the “Mac and Cheese Pizza!
The store is very unique and is a throw back to “those good old times we all still love.” An indication of this is that when you enter the store, you will find trays of peanuts on every table. They are free and there for you to enjoy while you wait for your order to be cooked or have your oil changed.
Norris Lane is now 85 years and he has two great grandsons growing up in his store - the fifth generation. Two boys. Michael’s son, Oak and Jared’s son, Jackson.
Cane Creek Grocery and Grill on US 64 is definitely a unique place and proud part of the community.
