Growing up in Fernandina Beach, Florida, was great and the memories will never fade away. We always had plenty to do after school and on the weekends. One of the “hot spots” for us kids was Gene’s store on Centre Street. It seemed Gene Barnhart had what you were looking for, regardless of what it may be. I remember my wife and me going to Gene’s for a fountain coke or ice cream.
Gene pegged his store as the biggest littlest store in the world and you really thought he was right when you walked in. He had it all, from bicycles to televisions and everything in between. Around Christmas time we would go in and do a little Santa wishing. Of course Santa never brought everything you were wishing for but Gene’s offered the best place in the world to form that wish list.
I think of Gene’s store every time I go down Centre Street. When my wife and I are together we look at the building and ask “How about a cherry coke”? There are some things in life that hold special memories that you just never forget.
