Turners Station continues its legacy of service

Turners Station has been doing its best to make customers feel welcome since 1889.

"You can come in shorts, you can come in a suit, you're welcome here," says George Mitchell, a life-long customer of Turners Station.

Jill Elsey-Stoner represents the sixth generation of her family to own the historic business at 6560 E. Sunshine (Highway D). Turners Station still operates as post office and general store, and it also serves as a deli and purveyor of local wares.

Elsey-Stoner attributes Turners Station's longevity largely to its dedication to community and customer service. "It was instilled in me from a very young age: Serve your community and your customers, and be a good neighbor."

Customers of Turners Station vary widely, from occasional tourists seeking a bit of nostalgia to the 30 regulars who gather daily to discuss community affairs over lunch.

The diversity of Turners Station customers is reflected by the numerous products and services offered by the former railway stop.

"This has always been a store and a post office," Elsey-Stoner said. She believes that her deli enjoys such great popularity because it offers customers " a good old fashioned sandwich; you can't find those anymore." Patrons may enjoy their lunch in an indoor picnic area decorated with the work of local artist Clyde Crisman.

"We really try to support local products and local artists, anything that's local we try to carry." In addition to Crisman's artwork, Turners Station also sells local food products, handmade candles and floral arrangements.

Aside from perpetuating its legacy as a local mercantile, Elsey-Stoner seeks to further another legacy of Turners Station, that of community service.

Through the generations, Turners Station has served as the gathering place for the town of Turners. Railroad crews found rest and friendly service in Turners Station's early days; community members found respite from the Great Depression while Elsey-Stoner's grandparents ran the business.

"When my grandparents were in here the depression was pretty hard, no one had money. We had a croquet court in the front yard, the kids would play in the old feed room, and the adults would play croquet until midnight," she said.

During this time Turners station also had a barbershop, youth center and government canning factory. "Everything revolved from right here," Elsey-Stoner said.

Turners Station has changed through the years: the train no longer stops and the depression has lifted. However, to Elsey-Stoner, finding ways to better her community through her business is just as important as it was to her grandparents.

Every Tuesday evening, Elsey-Stoner loans her parking space to the Spring Bike Club, a local nonprofit bike club which promotes cycling safety and better health through exercise. The Spring Bike Club has used Turners Station as the start for their weekly ride for three years.

Spring Bike member Sheryl Galvin said the Turners Station route was a fast favorite among club members.

"Everybody loves it; it's probably our favorite ride. The people who own Turners are magnificent, she really caters to the cyclists," Galvin said.

Community members of Turners as well as members of the Spring Bike Club work together twice a year to remove litter from Highway D, which runs directly in front of Turners Station. Elsey-Stoner sponsors two miles of the highway.

Spring Bike member Joe Kosina believes that the collaborative trash pickup is an appropriate thank you for the use of Turners Station parking. "It's kind of our way of paying them back. We're happy to help."

In addition to the Spring Bike Club, Elsey-Stoner also provides parking for the Bookmobile every Wednesday night.

Another community event hosted by Turners Station is the annual picnic, a homecoming of sorts for the community of Turners. The annual picnic takes place on the Saturday following Labor Day. Residents of the community of Turners and the greater Ozarks community are invited to bring a dish and enjoy live entertainment.

Turners Station continues to grow and change.

During the first four years of Elsey-Stoner's ownership, business quadrupled.

While her family business has undergone more than 100 years of transformation, its core has remained the same, Elsey-Stoner said.

"We've expanded our menu and the services that we provide, (we) changed format and little things you can't see, but all in all it's stayed the same. We haven't gone so far to the other side that it's changed the place's soul."

But to Elsey-Stoner, running the family business amounts to much more than numbers.

"It's a lot of hard work but it's worth it. I'm carrying on the history that my family started and leaving a legacy for my daughter," she said.