| During
the decade of the 1930s, the local farming economy
suffered as the price of crops fell and the number of
foreclosures increased. This turn of events during the
Great Depression forced Jennette Brothers to downsize
its operation by exiting the farm implement business.
Closing out its operation at
112 Water Street, the firm
moved by 1937 to a smaller building at
200 North Poindexter Street.
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A butcher’s shop occupied the building for
many years after Jennette Fruit & Seed moved out
in 1938. In this early photograph to the left,
Mr. Pritchard (the owner) and a helper stand
proudly behind the meat counter. Prior to
Pritchard’s Meat Market, the John Banks Grocery
and Eagle Café had occupied the site. It is
currently occupied by Thumpers Downtown Bar,
shown in the photograph to the right.
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Warren Jennette
and five of his sons.
Clockwise from top left: Warren
Sr., Warren Jr., Carter, Jack, Walton, and Bill.
During the Great Depression, Warren Sr.
announced that he had only enough funds to send
one son to college, so the boys drew straws to
see who it would be. Jack won the draw, went to
college, and later became a practicing attorney
in
Elizabeth
City. The
remainder of the sons entered the family
business.* Bill later opened a men’s clothing
store in downtown
Elizabeth
City.
On the right,
Five of the Jennette brothers in later
years. Clockwise from top left: Bertrand,
Walton, Bill, Jack and Warren Jr. All five were
members of the Elizabeth City Elks Club.
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A grocery and café had
previously operated at this location. The company was
renamed JENNETTE FRUIT & SEED. Lawrence left the company
and his brother, Warren, was joined by four of his sons
(Warren Jr., Carter, Bill and Walton). The firm started
to specialize in marketing fruit and produce.
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