Dr. Bruce Smith ——Bio and Archives--February 11, 2026

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In my travels here and there over the years it has become a habit to stop at local grocery stores. They have always been good gauges of the local culinary culture but more importantly they are a solid way to see the real local people who work hard every day to serve others in the community. There are all kinds of local grocery stores and supermarkets, some good and some not so good, but a very few stand out above all the rest. In the town of Spencer, not too far from the old National Road southwest of Indianapolis, there is Babbs Supermarket. For several years now it has held the #1 ranking of all the grocery stores I have ever known.

In a world of chain stores it is an independent, one of a kind, and it has anchored this town for nearly a hundred years. These days that’s a rarity. It takes a special kind of dedication and loyalty to run a place like this.

In a world of faceless corporate chains it remains a local institution run and owned by local people. They live where they work. They offer jobs to young people, even from the local high school, and other folks from every part of the county have a place here, too. They remember local heroes. A banner catches my eye every time I’m about to leave the store. From it a fallen soldier, Pvt. Brett........

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