Century-old Catsburg Country Store needs new home

April Johnson is the executive director of Durham Preservation, a group helping the owner find someone who will love and care for the structure, but most importantly, move it. “We want to save a building like this because people are connected to it with their hearts,” she said.

Johnson believes the store connects people in the area to the past. “If you tear it down, it's like tearing apart somebody's soul, breaking somebody's heart,” she said.

The land owner is willing to help pay for the move, as much as $5,000. But that move could cost tens of thousands or more.

Greg Glynn and his crew stopped by Tuesday to check out the old Catsburg store.

“It is a great piece of Durham history, and something that should be preserved,” Glynn said. His group, N.C. Cedar Company, hopes to make an offer to save the building, moving it nearby for use for educational purposes.

Josh Smith rode along with Glynn, taking time to look at the historic construction. “You don't get wood like that anymore,” Smith said admiring the building. “If you can salvage something like this, why not? I think it's awesome.”

The store was built by long ago by Durham Sheriff Eugene Belvin. He also donated land beside the store for a baseball field. The name of the store parrots his nickname, “Cat."

“The sheriff's nickname was 'Cat' because he was easily catching people,” said Johnson, “and cunningly catching people in the act of moonshining and bootlegging.”

The building stands alone at the corner, a corner that may soon be home to a gas station. But for now, Johnson says the old country store is more than new construction can offer, “It feels like home. It feels like memories are here,” she says.

Johnson says there are about 50 people interested in the Catsburg store. Soon they will look through offers, looking for those who have the resources for the move and are willing to provide the public access to the building in its new location.

“I hope for new life for this building,” Johnson says. “I hope for a new story.”