Huck's Convenience Store

Small markets labeled as convenience stores first rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s. Here locally Bob Martin and Frank Bailey were the founders and owners of the Big John supermarket chain and several small southern Illinois towns. They decided to open their first convenience store in 1974 in Grayville and named it Hux. Today the Hux chain has more than 120 locations and 1500 employees in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. Back in the early 1970s when there were just a few Hux stores, Martin and Bailey teamed with Mr. and Mrs. Mood Cross of Marion. Eventually Mood and Flow Cross opened three Hux locations in Marion, including one on South Court Street and what later became the Sunbeam Bread Store and is now an unused building. The Court Street Hux later moved to a larger location across Hendricks and Street. Another was located on North Carbon Street and was the first to get gas p That location is now the Coldwell Banker real estate building. The t In those who remember those original Hux locations will also remember the silhouette of Huck Finn was modeled by the Cross's grandson, who Sean remembered finally the good old days working with The Crosses eventually sold two of their stores but for a w They later sold that store to the Hux Corporation and retired. But not really as Sean says, the couple then purchased a flower and gift shop called Four Seasons and later sold it to new owners. The gift shop became etc. In March of 2001, the Martin and Bailey families sold the Hux Corporation to their employees, making large chain 100% employee owned. Sean Vincelette finally recalls the good old days when his grandparents owned the Marion location and said he still Thanks to Sean, along with Ross and Sop And as always, thanks to the Arcadia Wealth Group for sponsoring all our Turning Back Times. T