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The last chapter in the long history of the G & G Mercantile Co. on Marco Island has been written. It's doors have closed and the famous old landmark will give way to a new development. It's origin dates back to about 1907 when construction was started by W.D."Billy" Collier. It went up as " Number 3 Manhattan Mercantile Co." One had been built in Everglades and another at Caxambas. The Marco store survived the winds of the 1910 hurricane, and others to follow, including Donna in 1960, which swept four feet of water through the building. For the last 32 years, it has been a dispenser of good cheer and all kinds of merchandise for islanders and visitors, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Griffis. R.A. Griffis, or "Grits" as his friends know him, said he came to Marco on a vacation more than 30 years ago and never left the island. He went to work in the Marco store and later teamed up in marriage with Miss Elva Lee Barfield, continuing the operation as the G.& G Mercantile Co. If you needed a needle... a button... a spool of thread, it was available at G & G. Mercantile. The hardware department had saws and hammers, and stocked the most needed auto and boat parts.There were fresh meats and a full line of groceries. Located in a prominent spot in the famous Ten Thousand Island area, the counters of course featured a full line of fishing tackle. If you had a tummy ache, a cold or a headache, or needed a lotion for skeeter bites, the drug department of the G & G was stocked to care for your needs. If you tired of fishing, there was a well stocked section offering books and magazines. One never knew who the next customer might be. For instance, some 12 or 15 years ago, Colonel and Mrs. Charles Lindbergh stopped in for supplies. Many other notables dropped by. Mr. And Mrs. Griffis, while operating the G & G, took time out from their business to serve as county officials. "Grits" was a county commisioner from 1943 to 1957, and Mrs. Griffis served as a member of the county School Board from about 1948 to 1964. During the past few weeks, Mr. & Mrs. Griffis have moved out the stock of the G & G and the doors have been closed, marking the end of an institution which could fill pages of historical nostalgia. They will now devote their time to the Islander Motel which they operate on the island. Collier County News - Daily News Tuesday July 28, 1964 Story by Sam England Thanks to the Collier Co.,News and Florida Digital Newspaper Library

The last chapter in the long history of the G & G Mercantile Co. on Marco Island has been written. It's doors have closed and the famous old landmark will give way to a new development.

It's origin dates back to about 1907 when construction was started by W.D."Billy" Collier. It went up as " Number 3 Manhattan Mercantile Co." One had been built in Everglades and another at Caxambas.

The Marco store survived the winds of the 1910 hurricane, and others to follow, including Donna in 1960, which swept four feet of water through the building.

For the last 32 years, it has been a dispenser of good cheer and all kinds of merchandise for islanders and visitors, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Griffis.

R.A. Griffis, or "Grits" as his friends know him, said he came to Marco on a vacation more than 30 years ago and never left the island. He went to work in the Marco store and later teamed up in marriage with Miss Elva Lee Barfield, continuing the operation as the G.& G Mercantile Co.

If you needed a needle... a button... a spool of thread, it was available at G & G. Mercantile. The hardware department had saws and hammers, and stocked the most needed auto and boat parts.There were fresh meats and a full line of groceries. Located in a prominent spot in the famous Ten Thousand Island area, the counters of course featured a full line of fishing tackle.

If you had a tummy ache, a cold or a headache, or needed a lotion for skeeter bites, the drug department of the G & G was stocked to care for your needs. If you tired of fishing, there was a well stocked section offering books and magazines.

One never knew who the next customer might be. For instance, some 12 or 15 years ago, Colonel and Mrs. Charles Lindbergh stopped in for supplies. Many other notables dropped by.

Mr. And Mrs. Griffis, while operating the G & G, took time out from their business to serve as county officials. "Grits" was a county commisioner from 1943 to 1957, and Mrs. Griffis served as a member of the county School Board from about 1948 to 1964.

During the past few weeks, Mr. & Mrs. Griffis have moved out the stock of the G & G and the doors have been closed, marking the end of an institution which could fill pages of historical nostalgia. They will now devote their time to the Islander Motel which they operate on the island.

Collier County News - Daily News

Tuesday July 28, 1964

Story by Sam England
Thanks to the
Collier Co.,News
and
Florida Digital Newspaper Library

Collier County

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G & G Mercantile Co

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