Similar to commissaries, neighborhood grocery stores often “ran accounts” and allowed locals to charge items until they could pay. I’m identifying this is a store, but it could have also been a barber shop.
Neighborhood Store, Daisy
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown
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were called “commisarys” usually on large farms for employees to purchase necessities. They could charge them, then at the end of the season. or pay period, this was deducted from pay. Sometimes leaving the workers with nothing left. Housing was usually provided also, again deducted from pay.