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 A New 50 Years At The ‘Variety Store’
Customers are assured the only change is in the ownership.
By Chuck Hagee, Gazette
February 13, 2008
After 50 years of serving the Mount Vernon, Lee District and Alexandria communities, Ben and Ann Vennell have decided its time to smell the roses. They have sold the Hollin Hall Variety Store at 7902 Fort Hunt Road in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center. But, Ben Vennell was emphatic in announcing the sale. "This store will not change," he said. And, to make sure of that, Ben and Ann intend to stay involved and "in the store" for the next year.
He wanted to make that point unequivocally clear. "About 10 years or so ago a rumor got out that we were closing the store, and it caused a local firestorm. Our phones were ringing off the hook and customers flocked to the store to make sure it was still open," he said.
"The fear among people of losing this store was unbelievable. This time I wanted to get the facts out so we weren't swamped with rumors again," Vennell said.
"I had a lady that was going to hit me with her handbag the other day when I told her we were retiring. And, last week at the Hollin Hall Senior Center anniversary, another lady looked at me very menacingly with her cane in hand when I told her," Vennell said.
"I said that after 50 years it was time for us to retire and enjoy some other things. Her only response was that I was too young to retire. I should just keep on doing what I have been doing," he said.
Doug Bentley, the store's new owner and life-long resident of the area, buttressed Vennell's assurance of no change in the Variety Store's operations, personnel, or vast array of products. He and his wife, Deborah, have owned The Gift Shop, located just two doors south of The Variety Store, for the past 17 years."I've always wanted to own the Variety Store and when the opportunity presented itself I took it," Bentley said. "I grew up in this neighborhood. I have been coming into this store all my life. I have no intention of changing anything."
Bentley also owned a florist shop in the Foxhall Square area of the District of Columbia until he sold it 18 months ago. "For the last year and a half I have been my wife's cashier at The Gift Shop. I really wanted to get my own business again. This way we are close but not working in the same store," Bentley said.
"We've been able to work together for all these years because when I'm down on the floor, Ben is up in the office and vice versa. It's been a very good system," said Ann Vennell. NOT ONLY can shoppers find just about any item needed for the home, school, or hobby in the Variety Store, but also the price is "always right" — not marked up and down periodically to entice customers.
"Everything in the store is legitimately priced at the most affordable level at all times. It has always been that way. We have never had a sale. It isn't necessary," Vennell said.
"Over the past 50 years we have developed the items that are needed by this community. I found a long time ago it's far better to put items at the best price for customers. It's easier on them and easier on us and builds loyalty. We have made a good living on this philosophy," he said.
That living started in this same shopping complex in 1958. Ann and Ben opened the Variety Store in the location what is now The Wharf Restaurant. In 1964 they moved to their present location at the other end of the two block shopping center.
"This store is nearly four times as large as the original store. That's why we moved in ’64. Of course, The Wharf has also expanded since they came into our old spot," Ben explained.
When asked what they intend to do now, after the year's transition, Ben immediately said "travel." Ann, on the other hand, had a little broader message. "We're going to do a lot of things we've put off over the years — as well as travel," she said.
"This store is so important to so many of the people in this area. I just want to assure them that it's not going away and it's not going to change. There are very few stores of this nature that are in business for 50 years. That can be attributed to our customer service philosophy and their response of loyalty," Ben said.
That no change applies to the store's 15 staff members — both full and part time. "That level of service will remain," Bentley said.
"Now it's time for Doug to start the next 50 years of service to this community," Vennell said. Mount Vernon Gazette: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?paper=69&cat=104&article=93517
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In an odd twist of fate, in the late 90's, I delivered for Irvin Payne & Sons. Sometimes I would deliver the candy for The Variety Store.