General stores across america, 1980’s

This general stores project began in Maine in 1978 when I was living with and studying under famed photographer Berenice Abbott. I was 23 at the time. Berenice was 80. Her biographer, Hank O'Neal lent me his beautiful 8x10 Deardorff camera to begin this project, but I soon went back to my 35mm so I could be more candid. The pictures here were taken on trips across America. My desire was to documet the last of the old general stores around the U.S. before they all became modern convenience stores. I would pack up my old car for a month at a time, with a tent and a few other camping supplies, $100 in cash, and aTexaco credit card, which I used to feed both me and my car.