By AMBER PATINO
A large crowd braved the August heat Saturday, Aug. 15, to celebrate the grand opening of the Riverbend General Store, marking a major milestone for the Gritney community and drawing visitors from across the region.
Owned by Travis and Sherry French, the store officially opened its doors with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony attended by family, friends, and community members. The Frenches were joined by local officials and guests as they welcomed shoppers to explore the new business.
Located at 1977 Highway 179 in Bonifay, the all‑day event featured food, live music, giveaways, kids’ activities, and meet‑and‑greets with several well‑known YouTubers and social‑media influencers. Guests lined up early for appearances by Ga Boy Outdoors creator Craig Janes, popular outdoor personalities Anna “The Archer” Ribeck and Bruce Mitchell of Swamp People, and fan‑favorite Yawt Yawt.
The celebration kicked off at 9 a.m. with a YouTuber meet‑and‑greet, followed by a ribbon‑cutting ceremony. Afternoon activities included additional influencer appearances, food tastings and samples throughout the store, book signings, photo opportunities, and grand‑opening specials. Food trucks and vendors were onsite, and families enjoyed a variety of children’s activities.
Riverbend General Store offers a wide selection of merchandise, including snacks, gifts, apparel, fishing and hunting supplies, hand‑scooped ice cream, and more, making it a new one-stop shop destination for locals and visitors alike.
Staff Report 