In January 1941, Pepper Pot Grill was opened by Paul Ussery on the Concord Road, in the West End part of Albemarle. The following year the business moved to West Main Street nearby. In 1944, the Stanly News & Press reported that Ussery was attempting to sell the business because he had joined the Army. According to his daughter Julie Klutz, her mother and several family friends were able to keep the business open while Paul was away. In March 1949, Ussery sold the grill to Leonard, Ralph and Dick Mann. They managed the business until October 1952 when they announced it was for sale again. It was soon purchased by Joe Burleson who became the new owner. According to local phone directories, he then sold the business about 1963 to Gilbert Pearce. The last information I could find showed Pearce was still the owner in 1967. Thanks to Julie Klutz for this wonderful picture of Pepper Pot Grill and her mother, Mildred. {Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}