Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Horton.
Hi Donna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Horton’s General Store opened in Rincon on May 18, 2020, but the story started many years ago.
Van Horton started making sausage and jerky while operating Horton’s Deer Processing at his home. After 8 years, the Horton’s opened Horton’s Quality Meats in Springfield where the now well-known sausage was sold along with other local products and fresh meats. It was during this time that the beef jerky was beginning to really take over.
In 2016 the Meat Market was closed to concentrate on Beef Jerky. Through the next few years, a lot of time was spent on the road, living in the camper and in hotels attending large events and promoting Horton’s Beef Jerky. The wholesale accounts started spreading across the country and online sales were growing as well.
Fast forward to 2020!!! COVID 19 hit and shut down all the large events that were relied on for the business. It also hurt a lot of friends who sold their products at these large festivals. It was a very trying time and buying meat for the beef jerky was almost impossible.
In May of 2020, along with family friend, Tammy Leggett, the Hortons decided to open Horton’s General Store.
Friends and fellow festival vendors across Georgia and South Carolina were contacted to see if they would be interested in selling their products in the store. Response was overwhelming and Horton’s General Store started overflowing with local products from Georgia, South Carolina and other nearby areas.
Another local favorite, Horton’s Fresh Country Sausage, is available most every day at the General Store. The selection includes Mild, Maple, Hot, Mild Garlic, Jalapeno & Cheese, Mild Italian and Hot Italian.
Horton’s Beef Jerky is also a big hit in the area and Nationwide. This is offered in many flavor varieties as well. We have Mild, Hot, Teriyaki, Spicy Teriyaki, Savory Steak, Jalapeno, Peppered, Sweet Onion, and Bourbon Whiskey.
Horton’s newest product Horton’s Pork Skins has become a huge hit. They are offered in Traditional, Salt & Vinegar, Ranch, BBQ, Tangy BBQ, Chili Cheese, Chili Lime, Hot.
The store is filled with Local and Small Batch company items such as Local Honey, BBQ Sauces, Marinades, Pickles, Jams, Jellies, Dressings, Pickled Vegetables, Soups, Spices, Coffee, Brittles, Cookies, Popcorn and so much more. They also offer soaps, candles and other small gift items.
Need a unique gift basket? This is the place to go. Tammy and Donna will put together a basket filled with items of your choice for that special someone.
Horton’s is a small business focused on providing the community with local products and friendly hometown service. Supporting our community throughout the year with donations and contributions to local charities and our school systems is very important. The Store has expanded the inventory to small town USA,supporting local businesses not only in our area, but other areas of our country as well. Small business is the backbone of America and Horton’s General Store takes pride in supporting our country and the hardworking Americans that make it the greatest country on earth!!
Our first location was in a small retail spot in the heart of Rincon, Georgia. In October of 2022, Horton’s joined the other family business, Wiley’s Home Center, owned by Donna’s family since 1987. We are located in the front corner of the showroom just as you walk in the door. We have really enjoyed combining these two great family businesses under one roof. Come check us out and visit Wiley’s Home Center’s vast showroom and warehouse at 1202 N. Columbia Avenue in Rincon, Georgia.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No it hasn’t been always easy. During the first 2 years, Donna was working a full time job in Savannah and trying to help Tammy as much as possible. Tammy is the backbone of Horton’s General Store for sure!! I was able to start working remotely and also was working part time for Wiley’s Home Center before we moved into Wiley’s.
At the beginning of 2023, Tammy was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer. This was a very difficult time, but God was with us through it all. Tammy rang the bell on June 13, 2024 and is currently cancer free.
Horton’s continues to grow and we love doing business and life together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Tammy is highly driven and has a vast background in Sales and Marketing. Her love for people and small business owners is the driving force behind the business.
Donna has been employed for over 40 years as an Autocad Architectural Designer for Kern and Co in Savannah, Georgia. Working for them remotely as allowed me to work as Inventory Manager and Sales for Wiley’s Home Center as well as attending to business at Horton’s General Store.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband, Van Horton, is the man behind all the Horton’s products.
My sister, Detra Thomas, Owner and President of Wiley’s Home Center. She has graciously allowed us to move the store into our family business and we couldn’t be happier.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/hortonsgeneralstore
