In 1972 Ben Childress returned to Grapeland with his family and became Bob Scoggins’ partner in the furniture business. One year later (1973) Ben bought Mr. Scoggins’ share in the business and it became the Childress Furniture Barn or ‘The Furniture Barn’. Ben, with his wife Martha as vice-president, formed the Childress Corporation in 1983. Since then Mr. Childress has become something of an entrepreneur. The Surplus Store located on Highway 287 North was opened next. It sells military and civilian surplus merchandise. later the Childress Warehouses were added. These are individualized rental storage buildings.