By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Sep 19, 2014, 10:54
PRINCE GEORGE — Going to the grocery store was part of everyday life for the Craft family. Even if it was just for one or two items, every outing seemed to include this stop.
“Anytime we ever went anywhere mom would say ‘hey go by the store and pick me up something,’” said Pam Craft.
One day her younger sister, Valary, got this phone call and was still in pajamas.
Not wanting to go into a store in this attire, Valary began to think.
“She thought, ‘I wish there was somewhere that I could just pull up and they could just bring the stuff to me,’” said Craft.
The idea started, and soon the Craft family began plans to open up their very own drive-through grocery.
Crafty’s Drive-Buy Grocery Store opened in Prince George on May 7, 1012, giving a new service to community members.
“People can come in and buy stuff, you can come through the drive-thru, or you can order online,” said Craft.
The store is stocked with more than 2,000 items, including meats, cheeses, fruits, sides and spices. The store also sells tobacco products, lottery tickets, and beer and wine. The alcohol sales shifted the store in a different direction.
“Originally we were going to keep the whole inside closed, so we had to open up the inside to be able to sell beer,” said Craft. “We can’t hand the alcohol through the window, people have to come inside and get it.”
In August of this year, Crafty’s was able to obtain a license from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which would allow the store to deliver beer and wine to customers at their houses.
“One of the beer distributors, when we told him that they gave us that license, he said he had never heard of it before. And he’s been at that job for about 10-12 years,” said Craft.
The family-owned and operated store offers competitive prices as compared to other local groceries, added with the convenience of delivery or drive-through pick up for customers has set Crafty’s ahead. Now with the ability to deliver alcohol, Crafty’s is once again one step ahead.
Crafty’s is located at 3809 Jefferson Park Road, Prince George.
For more information, visit www.craftysdrivebuy.com or call (804) 458-9320.
