Cabell County

Ezra Ward's store in Barboursville

Ezra Ward was from Huntington, WV. He was born in 1907. He met Loryane at The Aster Restaurant in Huntington and they were married in Catlettsburg, KY in 1932. They moved to Barboursville and started a business in 1939 on Central Avenue, one block from the High School.

Ezra at one time served plate lunches and had 3 & 4 waitresses working, then he went to just fountain sandwiches & drinks. They made the best milk shakes, and school kids especially came in & Ezra loved the kids. He sold toys, furniture, appliances, TV's, and radios, but I remember those wonderful milk shakes, and his big smile. He had a nick name for most, mine was “Blondie”.

Ezra was so good hearted, he gave people money, and never told anyone. After his death, Loryane, said people use to stop and tell her how good he was, when she would be working out in the yard.

Ezra died in 1976, Loryane sold the store, it became to much responsibility for her. They had two sons, Sonny, who is deceased and Jimmy who lives in South Carolina. Loryane lives in her home, beside of the building where the store was. She is in good health and is 89 years young and loves talking about those good memories she has of yester years. How I wish we had today more Ezra Ward stores.

Submitted by Dixie Daniel