Clay's Corner handed down to a new generation

    Brasstown – After being closed for more than a year, Clay’s Corner has reopened for business, albeit with a new store manager.
    “We all hated to see it close, so we decided to give it a second chance,” said Luke Logan, 18, who now runs the gas station and convenience store at the corner of Old Highway 64 West and Brasstown Road.
    The store originally opened in 1988, but it closed a couple years ago as owner Clay Logan settled into retirement. Earlier this year, Clay handed the store keys to his grandson Luke, who spent more than $4,000 to renovate the property.
    In addition to gas and convenience items, patrons can find store-branded knick-knacks and vintage Possum Drop memorabilia at Clay’s Corner, which also hosts live music on Fridays starting at 7:30 p.m. Luke has several ideas to increase business and stay involved with the community. He’s spoken to others about possibly hosting a deer hunting tournament, complete with cash prizes.
    When asked if he was thinking of changing the store’s name to reflect new management, he said, “Absolutely not. I'm not going to change it. [Clay] built this place, so I'm going to keep it in his name.”
    As for a possible return of the infamous Possum Drop, which was synonymous with Clay’s Corner for 25 years, “We might do a private drop, just me and my buddies,” Luke said. “Who knows – 10 to 20 years from now, we may start it back up.”