Exploring the Unique Gas Stations of the Southern States: A Photographer's Perspective

Twenty years ago, when Kate Medley was a graduate student in Oxford, Mississippi, she used to visit a nearby gas station that served delicious homemade Indian food upon request in Tupperware containers.

Even though it took some time before she started a project on gas stations and roadside stops in the American South, Medley was fascinated by these pit stops. She saw them as important food hubs in both urban and rural settings.

Many convenience stores offer simple goods and services such as coffee, hot dogs, or oversized bathroom keys. However, some go above and beyond with unexpected offerings like crawfish etouffée, tamales, Cajun-style bánh mì, all-you-can-eat barbecue, and even country ham for sale alongside cigarettes.

Despite being often overlooked due to their transitional nature, these quick stops play a crucial role in the communities they serve. Medley highlighted that they can serve as lifelines for these communities and also provide opportunities for individuals to pursue the American Dream. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute in 2013, 61% of all fueling stations in the US are independently owned by immigrants.

The Obama Gas Station in Columbia, South Carolina, got its name in 2008 following the general election because of the community's support for President Obama's campaign.

At Market Express, formerly Quik Shoppe, in Charlotte, Carolina, Medley photographed Marta Miranda, who had been frying chicken for 18 years.

Kate Medley

Open since 1991, Kwik Chek in Memphis, Tennessee, offers a mix of Korean and Greek food on its menu.

Mike Moatts, the butcher at Elberta Grocery in Elberta, Alabama, which also serves Indian food on Mondays — courtesy of one of its cashiers, Dhinal Patel.

Kate Medley

The Obama Gas Station in Columbia, South Carolina, got its name in 2008 following the general election because of the community's support for President Obama's campaign.

Kate Medley felt that there was a significant gap in scholarly research that did not acknowledge the importance of these communal spaces. She found the people, the food, and the sense of community in these places to be fascinating. These elements are essential to the Southern identity and what the region has to offer.

"Thank You Please Come Again" is a photo book containing 200 images that was released towards the end of last year. It is also the main focus of Medley's inaugural museum exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, her hometown.

Medley has traveled extensively across the South to capture the images featured in the book and exhibition.

For ten years, Medley captured images while traveling, starting off as a side project during assignments and eventually becoming her main focus. She explored approximately 150 gas stations and quick stops, fascinated by the distinct atmosphere of each location.

She expressed, “There’s a certain intrigue surrounding these spaces. As you walk towards them, opening the glass door with the sound of the bell jingling, you can't help but wonder what awaits inside. What scents linger in the air? Who might you encounter? And what delicious items are on the menu for the day?”

A gas station in the Mississippi Delta offering an all-you-can-eat-buffet, which Medley visited in 2013.

Open since 1991, Kwik Chek in Memphis, Tennessee, offers a mix of Korean and Greek food on its menu.

Kate Medley

Medley photographed a former gas station in the Arkansas Delta, which had become a modest Baptist church.

Gurjeet Singh, the owner of Icebox, and his business partner decided to open a Punjabi dhaba in Hammond, Louisiana. Originally from Chandigarh, India, Singh's goal was to cater to Indian truck drivers passing through along I-55 and I-12. Kate Medley shared this story in her book.

Saint Louis Saveurs in Greensboro, North Carolina, is owned and operated by Mouhamadou and Bator Cisse, a married couple who originally met in Senegal. They moved to Greensboro so Mouhamadou could pursue his doctorate in economics. The restaurant is conveniently located next to a Circle K.

Kate Medley discovered some hidden gems during her travels. One of them is Saint Louis Saveurs in Greensboro, North Carolina, which offers Senegalese food like jollof rice and grilled lamb dish dibi. The restaurant is located in the back of a Circle K and was previously a Dunkin Donuts, as noted by Medley. Even the door handle still had a "D" when she took a photo of the space. Another gem is Icebox in Hammond, Louisiana, a Punjabi dhaba that transformed from a convenience store to a full Indian buffet, located next to a gas station.

The owners of Icebox strategically placed the restaurant at the intersection of two interstates to cater to long-haul truckers, as Medley discovered during her conversation with them. She explained that they have been very successful, especially with truckers recruited from India.

"They have achieved great success," she mentioned. "However, during my visit, they mentioned their new plan is to remove the dhaba from the current location and replace it with a convenience store. The dhaba will be relocated to a standalone restaurant building because they feel that affluent customers prefer dining in a separate restaurant rather than at a gas station."

Jörg Rubbert

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Changing landscapes

For every success story, there are businesses struggling — a lot of them, Medley noted, particularly in rural areas where the population has declined.

In Elaine, Arkansas, one station has stopped selling gas and the grocery shelves are empty. However, a local farmer has stepped in to provide hot food options for the farmworkers in the area. This new addition not only brings in consistent revenue but also ensures that the workers have access to hot meals every day.

A gas station in the Mississippi Delta offering an all-you-can-eat-buffet, which Medley visited in 2013.

Kate Medley

When Medley walked into the establishment, Amanda Simonson, the general manager, informed her that the nearest gas station was 30 miles away. However, she kindly offered smothered pork chops instead.

In Banner, Mississippi, the owner of Pop’s gas station emphasized the significance of his business to the community. He even pointed out a local customer enjoying their lunch plate at the station.

“Since his wife died last year, he eats at Pop’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” the owner, Jeff Poynor, told her.

Medley photographed a former gas station in the Arkansas Delta, which had become a modest Baptist church.

Kate Medley

Medley argued that one of the advantages of small businesses is their adaptability. She has observed that while not all small businesses have been able to survive over the years, many have successfully transformed. Instead of selling products like Slim Jims and Red Bulls, you may now come across a cozy nightclub or a business specializing in shipping out cured ham all over the country. Medley has personally witnessed both of these transformations.

She expressed optimism about the future of these stores, stating, "I feel confident that they will continue to emerge." Medley believes that these unique small businesses are here to stay, even with advancements like electric vehicles and self-driving cars on the horizon. The exact form they will take in the next 50 years remains uncertain.

“But I feel confident it will be something,” she added, “that these buildings will persist, and that entrepreneurs will persist in finding a way to make them work.”

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a fascinating glimpse into the often-overlooked world of gas stations and roadside stops in the American South. These establishments play a vital role in their communities, serving as gathering places, sources of sustenance, and opportunities for entrepreneurship. Kate Medley's work captures the unique character of these spaces, highlighting the people, the food, and the sense of community that define them.

Medley's research reveals the diversity and resilience of these businesses, which have adapted to meet the changing needs of their customers. From all-you-can-eat barbecues to Senegalese cuisine, these establishments offer a glimpse into the cultural tapestry of the South. They also serve as lifelines for rural communities, providing essential services such as hot meals and fuel. As the article concludes, Medley expresses optimism about the future of these unique small businesses, believing that they will continue to evolve and find ways to thrive in the years to come.