The Rock Store - Our Story

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From Grocery Store to Local Legend

Step back in time to 1932, when our humble stone building first opened its doors as the Owyhee Grocery, serving the hardworking dam builders who shaped our community, becoming a quintessential part of this community and standing the test of time even as the times have changed.

Our Mission

At The Rock Store, our mission is to build stronger communities for future generations through experience-based hospitality. We exist to strengthen the heart of our town and beyond by offering genuine service, local goods, and a place to connect — for this generation and the next.

The Early Years (1932-1985)

From essential grocery stop to community hub, discover how the Owyhee Dam workers made our store their second home.

The Evolution (1985-2022)

See how the Simpson/Sweets family has preserved our heritage while bringing fresh flavors to the table.

The Modern Era (2022 -Present)

Read below about the 3rd generation of the Simpson/Sweets family. Crafting new offerings and creating more than just your average day stop

The Story of The Rock Store

The Rock Store has stood proudly at the heart of Adrian, Oregon since 1932. Built by James Langton with natural stone and petrified wood gathered from the surrounding area, it was originally designed to serve as both a general store and a central hub for the community. Over the decades, it has evolved through generations of family ownership, adapting to meet the changing needs of the town — but always staying rooted in the same mission: to serve the community.

In the early days, The Rock Store was known for its game lockers and a full-service butcher shop, where locals could store wild game and buy fresh-cut meat. After the historic floods of the early 1980s, the store changed hands to Don and Julie Sweet in 1984. They brought it back to life, rebuilding from disaster and running a successful operation for the next 16 years.

In 1999, their daughter Janice and son-in-law Jimmy Simpson took over. The Simpsons continued to improve the store — adding new coolers, updating the interior, and keeping the family legacy strong. But the biggest transformation came in 2017 when their son, Tyler Simpson, added a full burger restaurant to the operation. What started as a food trailer (where Tyler and his grandma first served the now-famous Upside Down Burger) soon grew into a full-fledged kitchen and tap house with an ambitious vision.

In 2022, Tyler and his wife Sydney became the official owners and launched a major overhaul of the property. They added new parking lots, modern gas pumps, an outdoor patio and beer garden, beautiful new bathrooms, fresh signage, and expanded seating throughout the store. They also introduced The Rock Store Tap House — serving local beers, wine, and hand-crafted food, including housemade chicken strips and finger steaks. The store now partners with local suppliers for meat, dairy, produce, and more, creating a 100% community-sourced grocery and dining experience.

Today, The Rock Store is more than just a store — it’s a destination. It's the only restaurant in Adrian and a crucial stop for the thousands of tourists, anglers, and adventurers headed to the Owyhee River and beyond. From Friday Night Bites and live music nights to Saturday pong tournaments and community estate sales, The Rock Store continues to bring life back into a quiet town — one burger, one beer, and one memory at a time.

And we’re just getting started.

The Great Flood Of 1984

This almost wrecked the store, but Don & Julie Sweet had a vision to revive the store and help turn it into what you see now. Without their vision this store would have become a distant memory

What's With The Buns Man? Are You Crazy?

You might’ve noticed something a little different about our burgers — the buns are upside down. No, it’s not a mistake. It’s a tradition. And like most good stories around here, it starts with Grandma.

Back in our food trailer days in 2019, we were extremely bored, no customers in sight, and Grandma was supposed to be helping keep things stocked. Instead, she was sneaking cider into everyone’s cups and keeping the good vibes rolling. Long story short, we flipped the buns upside down, grilled it up to try something new, and what do you know — it was better. Crispy on top, sturdier on the bottom, less soggy, more delicious. Customers noticed. Started asking for “those upside-down burgers.” And just like that, our signature was born.

Now we do it on purpose — because it works. It reminds us that the best things in life sometimes come from a happy accident, and a little spiked cider. So go ahead, and flip your expectations!

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3 Generations Of Family Pride

The Rock Store was first built in 1932 by James Langton, but it became part of our family legacy in 1984 when my grandparents, Don and Julie Sweet, took it over after the big flood and ran it successfully for 16 years. In 1999, my parents, Jimmy and Janice Simpson, became the second generation to carry the torch — expanding the store, and keeping the spirit alive. In 2022, Sydney and I proudly became the third generation, stepping in with fresh energy, new ideas, and a passion for honoring the past while building for the future.

Picture Left To Right - (Julie Sweet, Tyler Simpson, Jimmy Simpson, Justin Simpson)

Meet The 3rd Generation

We’re Tyler and Sydney Simpson, proud new parents to our sweet boy, Rhett Layne. When we’re not soaking up family time with Rhett and our crew of fur babies, you’ll usually find us outdoors — tearing up the hills on our dirt bikes, exploring new trails, and kicking back under the open sky.

Our story is rooted in small-town pride and a whole lot of hard work. In 2022, we took over The Rock Store — a family legacy that's been serving the community since 1932. Carrying on the tradition started by my grandparents and parents before me has been a dream come true. We’ve poured our hearts into growing and revitalizing the store — bringing in local goods, expanding the tap house, creating a hub where people can gather, grab a bite, fuel up, and feel at home.

Life these days is a wild, beautiful ride of raising a family, building a business, chasing dirt bike adventures, and investing in the community we love. And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.