His vision led to the world’s largest general store.

But it was in the face of adversity where his character shined brightest of all.

Jim Everett, founder, of Country Junction — World’s Largest General Store, passed away at age 78, the business posted on social media on Saturday.

“Jim was a man of big ideas, incredible vision, and an unwavering determination to turn those ideas into reality,” the post states.

The small family business began in the early 1980s and grew as he added more and more rooms.

“Alongside his wife, Jan, Jim built more than just a store. He built a place where families could gather, traditions could begin, and visitors could experience a little bit of magic around every corner,” the store post said.

In 2006 a devastating fire destroyed the original store and it was rebuilt. Though it was built as one structure, Everett kept the concept of multiple rooms connected with a “yellow brick road.”

“Jim’s determination never wavered. He believed in what Country Junction could be, and with the support of his family, employees, and community, he rebuilt it bigger and better than ever,” the business posted.

“Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and larger-than-life dreams helped shape Country Junction into the beloved landmark it is today. His legacy lives on not only in the business he built, but in the people he inspired, the lives he touched, and the memories made by generations of families who have walked our Yellow Brick Road.”

Caring and approachable

Towamensing Township Supervisor John Kleintop knew Everett not only as a businessman, but as his neighbor.

“He was our neighbor for 30 years,” Kleintop said. “Jim was a great friend, a super neighbor, he couldn’t do enough for you.”

Kleintop provided examples of Everett’s willingness to help as a friend.

“If you thought you had a problem and you reached out to him on that, he was one of those guys who would go the extra mile to help fix the problem, or get you some ideas,” Kleintop said. “He was always willing to help.”

As neighbors, Kleintop said he and his wife, Penny, would often gather would Jim and Jan.

“We’d get invited to some of their social gatherings, he and his wife Jan would get invited to some of our (social) gatherings,” Kleintop said. “He was always approachable; as a business man, he wasn’t uppity, he was always approachable.”

Kleintop cited examples of Everett’s demeanor as a businessman.

“He certainly had to come to the township for permission for building permits; he wasn’t that type of individual that would say, ‘Well I have this many employees and I’m going to do this and you guys have to knuckle down and do what I say’, he wasn’t that kind of person.

“He would come to us, let us know his intentions; he would ask how is the best way for us to go about this to avoid any conflict. He would come and talk to you about things so that there wasn’t a problem when he would go to do things.”

Kylie Adams-Weiss, senior vice president of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, said, “The Carbon County community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Everett, and offers its condolences to his family, friends and entire Country Junction team. Through Country Junction, Jim built more than a successful business — He created a destination that has become part of the memories of thousands of residents and visitors alike here in Carbon County.“

Rebuilding from ashes

Everett, along with his wife, Jan, built, then rebuilt the World’s Largest General Store after a fire leveled the immensely popular store

On Oct. 3, 2006, a fire leveled the original 150,000 square-foot building.

After the fire — which resulted in a multimillion dollar loss — Everett kept the store functioning by moving all operations to a large all-weather tent and various structures.

A grand reopening was held at the store in 2010, when about 50,000 square feet was opened. The new store was then constructed on the site of the former store. An addition was then built to grow the store to nearly its original size.

“I know that when he had the fire, he did everything in his power to find places for his employees to go and things for them to do so that they didn’t lose their jobs,” Kleintop said. “He was that kind of employer who wanted to see his employees continue to succeed, and continue to pay for their bills and their families; that’s the kind of character that he was.”

Kleintop has witnessed firsthand the immense popularity Everett’s store has garnered over the decades.

“Anybody that would drive past that business when they’re having any kind of function, pumpkin fest, carnivals there, would see that the parking lot looked as full as what the Carbon County Fair or the West End Fair would look like when you would go past, you would have to struggle at times to find a parking spot,” he said. “The things that he would do for the community were very generous.”