Just a stone's throw from the banks of the Cumberland River stands the Ben Sutton General Merchandise Store and Grocery.  Built in 1800's, it continuously served the families of the Granville, Tennessee area until the 1970's.  The two story building's unique style features a balcony with many of the products the store offered for sale during its 90 years of service.  The original building has much of the same interior fixtures it had at the turn of the 20th century.  The store contains a dining room offering family style dining for groups of 40 by reservation.  Furnishings and memorabilia are on display; very unique gifts and merchandise are for sale.  Walking back in time will be fun, interesting and educational.   

                                     The T.B. (Ben) Sutton General Store dates back to 1870 when it was purchased by W. H. Ragland at the Chancery Court - Clerk and Master sale.  On June 7, 1880, Ragland sold the store to A.S. Cooper and James Hargis for $100.00.  For the next 45 years, the store was owned by the Cooper family primarily along with several other individuals at various times.  In the 1890's, it went by the name of Hargis & Son General Merchandise and Country Produce.  In 1901, it changed to Shepherd & Cooper.  In 1906, it was Cooper & Brown, and then B.F. Cooper General Merchandise.  In May, 1925, B.F. Cooper sold the store to A.H. Willoughby, trustee, Bank of Granville.  On May 7, 1925, Ben Sutton bought the store from Willoughby and became the most remembered store owner of our times.  Sutton operated the store for over 45 years closing it shortly before his death.  John Clemons operated the store for a short period in the early 1970's before closing the store permanently.  The store remained closed, becoming run down and in need of much repair and restoration.

The annual Heritage Day celebration in May, 2000, brought Harold and Beverly Sutton to the Granville community for the first time.  Sutton discovered the old store and noticed that it shared the same name as his father, Ben Sutton.  Although they could not tie their heritage to T.B. Sutton, they fell in love with the old store, and on July 11, 2000, purchased the store and all its contents.   The store was nearly in ruins and almost un-restorable.  The feed room was almost on the ground with all the store fixtures in this room.  Sutton began remodeling the facility by raising the feed room up 37 ½ inches and repairing the foundation and wood siding - all the while being heralded for maintaining the character and charm of the old general store.