History

In 1926, after managing the business for years, Ada Estelle Smith Harris purchased J.D. Smith Grain from her brothers and continued the business of College Park’s favorite feed store. Now, more than 80 years later her granddaughter, Celita Bullard, has reopened the historic building as a restaurant and bar. Together with Chef Peter Golaszewski, Celita is breathing new life into a College Park landmark. The Feed Store has become a renewed community favorite - just the way Estelle Harris would have wanted it.

Tootie was born in Sand Mountain, Alabama to a family of thirteen brothers and sisters. An intelligent and progressive woman, she graduated from the University of Montevallo. She then taught school until she married George W. Harris, who served as a three term Mayor of College Park until he died on the beginning of his 4th term in office in 1942. Prior to his death, Tootie and G.W. purchased J.D. Smith Grain Co. from her twin brothers in 1926. At a young age, Tootie became not only a successful business woman, but the single mother of two daughters, Tosca Harris Oxford and Mariann Wanda Harris Denmark.

In the years to come, Tootie became well known in the community as not only a leading business and civic leader, but a true humanitarian. She was one of the original Directors of the Bank of College Park (now Bank South), a Founder of the American Legion Post 50 Women’s Auxiliary, an active leader in the First Baptist Church of College Park, and the Founder and First Director of Georgia Girl’s State. J.D. Smith Grain Co. became a local favorite where history was established, traditions made and stories shared.

In honor and recognition of her years of commitment to her business, this community and her family, we, John and Celita Bullard, granddaughter, hereby dedicate “The Feed Store” to Tootie’s memory and to the community to continue the history, make new traditions, and share the stories for generations to come.

Dedicated August 23, 2003