Although small grocery stores and general merchandisers were available, Thompson theorized that selling convenience items such as bread and milk was popular due to being kept fresh through ice, and the reduced the need to travel long distances for basic items.
Although small grocery stores and general merchandisers were present in the immediate area, Joe C. Thompson Sr., the manager of the ice plant, deliberated that selling convenience items such as bread and milk was popular due to the preservation of items through ice. This significantly reduced the need to travel long distances to the grocery stores for basic items.