Big Boy’s celebrates BY MIKE BOLLINGER
KENLY — Thirty years ago, Walter “Big Boy” Powell Sr. took a chance. That chance has turned into a thriving truck stop, convenience store and restaurant business just off Interstate 95 on Bagley Road. To show appreciation for the longtime customers that have made the business what it is today, Big Boy’s is holding a 30th Anniversary Family Fun Day Saturday, Nov. 13, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Jami Powell, An older photo of Walter Powell Sr.’s left, and Norman Walter Powell Sr., granddaughter and instrumental in geRichardson, who was one of several family and running in Ke tting Big Boy's off nly. members who work at the business, said the David. event will begin at 8 a.m. with From 1-3 p.m., the bluegrass a car show. band Shannon Baker and “We’re doing that because Sometime Soon will perform. Granddad has always been into Throughout the day, there trucks and cars. He has always will be bouncy houses for enjoyed racing,” Jami said. children, a monster truck, “The purpose of customer horse rides and fire and police appreciation day is for us to vehicles on display as well thank the community that as several food trucks and has remained faithful to us local vendors. An Xfinity throughout the years. The NASCAR driver will make an ramp (off Interstate 95) was appearance and there will also closed for two years due to be face painting and balloon construction and locals and twisting. A DJ will provide truck drivers drove through music. the country to get to us,” she “We just want this to be continued. a fun day for families,” Jami At 10 a.m., students from said. Jennifer’s Dance Academy in Powell Sr. was born in Kenly will perform, followed 1939 on his family’s farm in at 11 a.m. by another dance Lucama. He was one of a set performance, this one of twins, and became known from Artistry in Motion of as “Big Boy” because he was Smithfield. At noon, there will the larger of the two twins. be a magic show by Magic by The smaller twin was called 20 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]
“Little Boy.” “Our home place was a two-room little house with a kitchen. My mother and father raised my five sisters and I in that small house on our family farm. Farm life teaches you to take chances and work hard if you wanted to find success,” Powell Sr. said in written remarks provided to Johnston Now. “Everyone in our community knew me growing up as ‘Big Boy.’ I have always tried to helpful to others and I have always loved people.” “Big Boy” opened his first gas station in Lucama in 1972, under the Phillips 66 brand. “I leased the building and it went well,” he said. In 1975, he moved to a larger station across the street under the Exxon brand. The larger facility had room for oil changes and repairs. “During those years, Highway 301 was the route for people going north and
south. It was a busy time,” Powell Sr. said. In 1977, he found a station to rent in Selma just off Highway 70 and Interstate 95. “I was on a larger highway and had hopes for more business. This is where I began to see the trucking industry flourishing,” Powell Sr. said. “The chance I took worked out well.” He said the most amazing thing about his business is no matter where he was located, he had great customers and friends. Powell Sr. said he always tried to get to know people and he enjoyed the most when people would get to know him. “I had a reputation as a friendly and helpful person. People chose to do business with me. I didn’t and don’t take that lightly even today,” he said. “Your customers are important and you can’t have a business without them. I was there for about 14 years. It was a family business from the start. My sons both helped me until they went into the
ployee who started at the Judy Evans, longtime em e Big Boy's. She retired about truckstop before it becam two years ago.
