That was the year generation one, my great grandparents, opened the first Well's Grocery in downtown Brighton. At that time, Brighton was quite different, a hotel, a creamery, hardware store, a bank, and a couple of grocery stores. I remember the wooden floors, pot belly stoves, and the groceries on shelves behind the counters. Coal, kerosene, harness, feed for animals, groceries, and meats could
be found in the early retail stores. Closed on Sundays and half days on Wednesdays, life was simple. During grandaddy's lifetime he moved the store to Main Street. Purchasing a farm on Jack Bennett Road, Grandaddy began raising cattle, hogs, and large gardens. All of these things made their way to Wells General Store in Brighton. We had our own meat packing plant where we learned the art of selling meat. Salted meats, smoked hams, fresh meats, and our famous Wells Sausage were sold and taken to homes all across America. Grandaddy Verlie died in 1953, I was only one at the time. The third generation was Uncle Whit Wells, Uncle Bob Wells, and my parents, Arnold and Louise Vandergrift. One store grew to eight, the meat processing plant was expanded, added a hardware store, and added three restaurants. Uncle Whit taught me the art of cutting meat while my daddy taught me the grocery business and my mother instilled in me the importance of discipline. The last Wells store closed in 2007. The fourth generation consists of myself, my sister Vannice, my brother Bryan, and many cousins. As stores were sold, family moved on in other directions. Bryan and Vannice were loyal to the end when the last store closed in 2007. Vannice took over Well's Kitchen and Bryan joined the Fastimes Management team. Fastimes was started in 1991 when Caren and I purchased the first Fastimes on Hwy 14 from the Stafford family. In 1995 we remodeled and added on to the existing store. Business was good and in 2000 I brought in my future partner, Ric Morris, to help me manage Fastimes #1. Mine and Ric's passion to serve the public has never wavered and we realize that without our customers we are just an empty building. Our prayer is that in everything we do, we bring honor and glory to our lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight. Sincerely,
Jimmy Vandergrift
Morris Family - 2nd Generation -Jake Morris
Wells & Vandergrift Family 5th Generation - Joelle May & Valerie Carver
Wells & Vandergrift Family 6th Generation - Clayton Honeycutt
Fastimes #1
(1991 Vandergrift & May)
6971 Hwy 14 South
Brighton, TN 38011
901-476-1670
Manger - Penelope McDonald
Fastimes #2
(2004 Vandergrift & Morris)
2022 Rosemark Rd
Atoka, TN 38004
901-837-3407
Manager - Samantha Duggan
Fastimes #3
(2007 Vandergrift & Morris)
1020 Old Hwy 51
Brighton, TN 38011
901-476-8040
Manager - Melissa Rylant
Fastimes #5
(2015 Vandergrift & Morris)
15903 Hwy 51
Atoka, TN 38004
901-837-8924
Manager - Jennifer Hobson
Fastimes #6
(2017 Vandergrift & Morris)
5711 Hwy 59 West
Covington, TN 38011
901-476-2447
Manager - Amanda Peeler
Fastimes #7
(2021 Vandergrift & Morris)
1990 Hwy 64
Whiteville ,TN 38075
731-403-3278
Manager-Matthew Freels
Jimmy & Caren Vandergrift - Ric & Leigh Morris - Roger & Joelle May
