November 7, 2025
SAUTEE NACHOOCHEE, Ga. — If you happen to stop by the Old Sautee Store, near Helen, Georgia, on any given Friday or Saturday, you will be greeted by the stoic faces of two wooden cigar store Indians. You might also see the friendly face of Bill Coen, the retired minister of music from First Baptist Statesboro.
Coen, who has never met a stranger, gives a warm welcome to those who pass through the door. He’s ready to answer questions or provide customers with a sample of some of the store’s fares, and if the door opens, to minister to those who have come that way.
The old store itself is fascinating, Bill explained that it was built in 1872. “Only seven years after Lincoln was shot, and the year Susan B. Anthony voted illegally and was thrown in jail. It was before Custer’s last stand.” It is part store, part museum, and for the last two years, it has served as the host to a bluegrass venue on Saturdays.
Don Allison, who, along with his wife Rose Mariee owns the store, explained that a couple of years ago he and Bill decided to put a guitar out on a bench on the porch to see what happened. Eventually, someone picked it up and began playing, Don and Bill began singing along. From that simple beginning, it has grown as Bill (guitar), Don (dobro, guitar, and drums), and other local musicians gather to pick and play each Saturday.
Their music is bluegrass and gospel. Most of the regular pickers are musicians active in local churches. Bill said they typically gather and begin playing around 11 a.m. on Saturday. The length of the sessions varies, sometimes lasting until 3 in the afternoon.
Bill explained the store was originally built to provide a local man, who had suffered a heat stroke and could no longer farm, a job. They opened a post office in the store, and “it became the business and social center of the Sautee and Nacoochee valleys.” Today, the front of the store houses a museum which includes, along with the wooden Indians, the remnants of the post office, antique cans, jars, and other items and hardware a country store would have stocked, including a casket. There is an inviting fireplace that often crackles and pops with the sound of a fire and the smell of burning oak during the cold weather months.
Bill, age 77, is a native of Kansas City, Mo. He has served as a music minister in his home state, as well as Virginia, Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia. For several years, he served as a full-time music evangelist. He has been active in the Sons of Jubal for many years, including participating in international trips to Russia, North Korea, China, and Israel. He served at FBC Statesboro for 14 years before retiring to north Georgia. Since retiring, he has served several long-term interims at churches, including Level Grove Baptist, Popular Springs Baptist, and is currently serving as interim at Clarkesville Baptist. He has also filled in for many friends across the region.
His ministry during retirement has not been limited to serving churches. He explained there are opportunities, almost daily, to minister while at the store. “When people come in, if I see a window of opportunity, I might say, ‘I pray the Lord will bless you.’ Or ‘God bless you.’ Just a simple little phrase like that will sometimes open the door for ministry.”
He reflected, “I have stood on this porch and prayed with people.” Sometimes people with problems, hurting people, want to get away and drive through the mountains to take their minds off problems. “One day,” Bill explained, “it was a family who had just lost a friend that day, she was sitting at a picnic table crying.” Sometimes, he said, you don’t have to go looking for opportunities to minister, they will come to you.
If you are planning on wandering in that section of White County, while chasing the changing fall leaves, there is an art center and one of Georgia’s few remaining covered bridges nearby. The Hardman Farm State Park is five miles away. Governor Hardman was a leading Georgia Baptist layman in the early 20th century. A businessman and medical doctor, during the Depression he gave money to mountain churches to repair their buildings lest they fall into disrepair. He also served on a committee that provided guidance and helped restore credibility to the Georgia Baptist State Mission Board during a time of financial crisis. In doing so, he helped lay the foundation of what became the Cooperative Program.
If it is a Saturday, you can drop by the Sautee Store and enjoy the bluegrass music or bring your instrument because the owner Don said, “everybody is welcome to sing and play along.” Bill, Don, Rose Mariee, the indians, and others will be there to greet you, and if you need a word of encouragement or prayer someone might be able to help you with that too!
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