Company Store
Photo: collection of the author.
This front and side view of the McIntyre company
store taken about 1950 shows signs posted on the front windows advertising specialties or
sales.
As in other similar towns, the company store was owned by the coal company. In the very
early days, miners were paid in company scrip which was redeemable only in the
company store. Since many mining towns were isolated from larger towns, townspeople
depended upon the company store for the purchase of groceries, furniture, mining supplies, and other
items. The store usually occupied the largest building in town and was often wood framed and painted
white although in some towns the store was made of brick. Railroad tracks were located
at the back of the store to enable easy unloading of newly ordered goods. Although there was
little competition, McIntyre did have a number of privately owned stores patronized by
residents. Residents in many company towns often complained to coal company agents
or to union representatives that the prices at the company stores were too high.