The Name Says It All
A Look Back at Handy Dandy’s Legacy of Service and Convenience
Words by Linley Allred | Images by Al Blanton and courtesy of the Daniel Family
When it came to convenience stores, Handy Dandy certainly lived up to its name. With locations spread across Walker County and beyond, the stores offered much more than the usual gas station fare. They sold meat, produce, household essentials, and other goods, making them a one-stop shop for many families.
Handy Dandy also stood out for its operating schedule. At a time when few businesses stayed open every day of the year, its stores welcomed customers 365 days a year from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ernest and Ilell Daniel opened the first Handy Dandy in July 1961 and ran the business until the last store closed in 2000. Ilell’s father had owned a candy store in downtown Jasper, and she and Ernest were influenced by him, along with other family members who ran small businesses in Alabama and other states.
The Daniels were Walker County natives, and most of their stores were close to home. All but five of the 18 locations were in the county, with eight inside Jasper’s city limits. The distinctive gables and diamond shapes on some Handy Dandy exteriors were inspired by a store Ernest had visited in Florida. Store locations included multiple sites in Jasper, as well as Double Springs, Addison, Nauvoo, Carbon Hill, Sumiton, Cordova, Arley, and Parrish. Beyond Alabama, Handy Dandy also had stores in the Mississippi towns of Aberdeen and Verona.
Ernest and Ilell were deeply involved in their community. Their oldest daughter, Sandra Gibson, tears up while recalling her father’s civic engagement, his service on various boards, and hisactive role in the local chamber of commerce. She and her younger sister, Traci Daniel Naramore, also reflect on how their parents helped families in need by providing food and other essentials. Though Handy Dandy remained open on Christmas Day, Ernest made sure employees had time to spend with their families as well.
A Daily Mountain Eagle article from 1996 captured just how much customers appreciated Ernest’s presence in the store:
Where else can I find a proprietor like Mr. Daniel at Handy Dandy on Airport Road, who always has a smile for his customers, helps carry heavy bags to the car, or loads up their Christmas trees for them? Not to mention, his employees know my brand of everything before I ask.”
Sandra, Jan, and Traci all worked in the stores in some capacity, but their brother, Lynn, was the most involved. He started at a young age and eventually managed a location on his own. Sandra’s husband, Mike Gibson, also worked at several locations over the years and fondly remembers his time there.
One Christmas Day, Mike was scheduled to open the store at 8 a.m., an hour later than usual, due to the holiday. He arrived early to complete some tasks before opening, only to find the parking lot already full. Feeling bad for the waiting customers, he unlocked the doors. When asked why so many people had arrived early, he laughs and says, “They needed batteries for all those new toys!”
As the youngest sibling, Traci’s memories of Handy Dandy come from its later years. “I remember riding with my dad and my brother Lynn to the farmers market in Birmingham,” she says. “We bought all kinds of fruit to bring back. I would ride in the very back of the truck because you could do that then and eat peaches, nectarines, and plums.”
Sandra and Traci both agree that Handy Dandy had an unbeatable selection of comic books and magazines. Getting a first look at the latest publications was a treat, though they were careful not to crease them before placing them back on the shelves.
One of Handy Dandy’s biggest attractions was its Icee machine, the first in Alabama. After school, lines would stretch around the store as kids eagerly waited for the frozen drinks. The machine often stalled, forcing everyone to wait for it to thaw before more Icees could be made.
The store on Highway 78 was also known for its Christmas tree sales. The Daniel family ordered trees from out of state and stored them in large bundles at their home, restocking the store as needed. “We only sold Christmas trees every year at Store #1, and they were a big hit,” Traci says. “We would order them from another state and also get some from the farmers market in Birmingham.”
Though the Handy Dandy stores have long since closed, their impact lingers in the memories of the Daniels' children, former employees, and countless customers who relied on them for everyday needs and holiday traditions. 78
