1403 S Roxboro St

1403 S. Roxboro, ca. 2025

1403 Roxboro began as a local grocery store owned by Octavius “Ockey” Cain and his wife, Sallie McCright Cain. 

The Merrick-Moore-Spaulding Company owned the land before selling it to E.E. Patterson. When E.E. Patterson failed to make the payments on the land, it was then sold to O.C, “Ockey,” Cain in 1922. C.C. Spaulding facilitated the sale to Ockey. Ockey bought the land for 1405 Roxboro, where he and Sallie lived, from the Merrick-Moore-Spaulding Company the previous year.

The property was originally listed on 1403 Pine Road, until it was renamed to Roxoboro St. The first reference to the property as a grocery store is listed in the 1927 Hill’s Durham Directory, which also references Ockey’s residence at 1405 Pine Road. It was originally called Cain O Grocery, but was listed in the 1963 city directory at South Roxboro Grocery. 

Ockey married Sallie McCright in 1942. Sallie and Ockey separated for a brief period. Their separation was reconciled in 1953, and they remained married until Ockey’s death in 1958.

Sallie then owned the store until she died in 1960, in which the 1403 and 1405 Roxoboro properties were deeded to her father, John McCright, who then deeded them to his daughter, Hattie McCright Buie, and her husband, David Buie. John McCright was a groundsman for John Sprunt Hill. While working as a groundsman, McCright lived in 1008 Willard, which was Hill owned. 

Hattie McCright Buie was an ordained minister and statemother of Mount Calvary Holy Church. She was also the state assistant secretary of the missionary program. She participated in many other organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Parents Anonymous, and the Progressive Club. She also served as a private nurse.

Her husband, David Buie, was an electrician and worked at North Carolina Central University for thirty years as the Chief Electrician and Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Manager. He also served in the army during World War II. 

The grocery store was a side business for Hattie and David during their years of ownership. Brenda Buie Burnette, one of their daughters, said that David paid off the mortgage for the property. He also built the stone wall that starts at the grocery store and goes to their old home. 

In the 1990s, the building was used as a salon. David Buie Jr. and his ex-wife managed the salon and lived in 1405 Roxboro. 

Buie Jr. was a campus police officer for North Carolina Central University for thirty years, retiring for a short period, but returning to the police force as a deputy sheriff for the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Buie shared ownership of the property with his siblings, Donna Buie Ogedegbe, Anthony Buie, Brenda Buie Barnette, and Celestine Buie Rogers. This ownership stayed the same until 2020, when Buie Jr. passed away from a rare blood cancer. His son took ownership of his portion. This year, the property came under the sole ownership of his son. It was used as a barbershop for 5-6 years until recently. 

Burnette recalls growing up when her parents ran the grocery store. She specifically remembers that bread was 16 cents and candy was 2 pieces for 1 cent. The grocery store closed down in the mid-1970s. 

Burnette was also targeted by Frank Hyman, city council incumbent, who claimed that she was a member of the Communist Party. Burnette and former mayor Harry Rodenhizer went on to block Hyman from a primary seat, and Burnette eventually won the election for City Council representative of Ward I. 

Exterior Photos of 1403 S. Roxboro, ca. 2025

Interior Photos of 1403 S. Roxboro, ca. 2025