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Stuckey’s

A Sweet Roadside Oasis

Pecan Log Rolls
by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher

“You’ve got to be honest with the public. And you’ve 1909, in Wilkinson County, Georgia, to William and Sally Stuckey.
got to work. Of course, good luck won’t hurt.” William was a farmer, and soon after Stuckey was born, the family
moved to the small rural farm town of Eastman, Georgia, where
- W. “Sylvester” Stuckey, Sr. Williamson was raised and went to school.
After graduating high school, Stuckey went on to study law at the
ith a vision, strong work ethic, University of Georgia-Athens. By his
sweet offerings, and an under- third year the Depression had come to
Wstanding of human behavior, Stuckey’s Pecan Roll billboard rural Georgia, and he was forced to drop
Williamson Sylvester Stuckey, Sr. (1909- out and help support his struggling family.
1977) turned a roadside pecan stand he So, as the story goes, he hit the road in a
opened in 1937 into an empire that Model A Ford he borrowed from a friend
became an integral part of the American and drove around the Middle Georgia
road trip experience during the Golden countryside with John King, an African
Age of Automotive Travel. American man who worked on the family
At its peak in the 1960s, Stuckey’s, farm, buying pecans from local farmers to
considered “the forerunner of the modern sell to local pecan processors. This new
convenience store,” boasted 368 roadside business enterprise was bankrolled with a
stores in over 30 states, each offering $35 loan from his grandmother. Stuckey
kitschy souvenirs, clean restrooms, and King worked so hard and so late that
sweet pecan treats, and Texaco gas. they often slept on top of the pecan bags.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s. It was Eventually, the business did well
where families on road trips looked to enough for Stuckey to open a small
stop and shop, as much a destination as roadside stand along Highway 23 in
it was a convenience. Billboards across Eastman, GA in 1937, selling pecans
the interstate highways only added to the along with sugar cane juice, syrup,
anticipation of what was coming just a few miles down the road! souvenirs, honey, and “all you can drink for five cents” cherry cider.
Eighty-five years later, Stuckey’s is still fondly remembered by Business picked up after Stuckey’s wife Ethel began adding her
generations for its teal blue sloped roof, as recognizable on the horizon delicious homemade candies – southern delicacies such as pralines,
back then as the golden arches are today, and of course for its famous divinities, and Stuckey’s iconic pecan log rolls.
pecan candies and log rolls. They are a brand worth remembering,
which is what the Stuckey family is counting on as Stuckey’s grand- The Sweet Taste of Success

daughter takes the helm and looks to build back the family business After Ethel tried out a recipe for pecan log rolls and added her own
and brand through nostalgia and the basics that made it such a success. secret ingredient (maraschino cherries) to the mix, business took off.

Stuckey Hits the Road Customers loved her unique spin on southern pecan candies (good for
enjoying in the car and bringing back home as souvenirs) and soon
“Stuckey,” as he was called by his friends, was born on March 26, Stuckey’s stand became a recognized roadside destination. Business was

Postcards from Stuckey’s across the country

26 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles