The Bridges Family have impacted locals at Exit 70 for 50 years

CONTRIBUTED BY THE REV DR. H. DUWAYNE BRIDGES AND RON WILLIAMS

CHAMBERS COUNTY — Pat and DuWayne Bridges and their family have been working at Exit 70 in Cusseta for the last 50 years. They have made an enormous impact on the area during this time. Exit 70 was like a lighthouse, a place that welcomed weary truck drivers and families on the road, offered them friendship and a place that felt a little like home.

DuWayne Bridges, Sr. moved to Cusseta, Alabama in 1977 while his wife and children remained in Columbia, South Carolina. DuWayne and Pat decided it would be best for DuWayne, Jr. and Karen to finish their school year through May of 1978 before they would join him in Alabama. During those months, he or they would travel back and forth from Columbia to Cusseta. Finally, in June of 1978 Pat and the children made the move to Valley.

Lamar Perlis and DuWayne became partners at Perlis Truckstop in 1977. They were friends for several years before they became business partners. They were partners for over 20 years before DuWayne bought him out.

DuWayne and his family recently celebrated his 50th year of business at Exit 70. He first started at the Truckstop. At one point, DuWayne employed 83 employees. In 1994, he built the Boot Outlet across the street. He and his family have been in retail and fuel business for 50 years.

Bridges and his wife have nine grandchildren. At one time or another all nine grandchildren have worked at his Truckstop or Boot Outlet.

“All of my grandchildren know how to sell and work hard,” Bridges said. “We’ve had some great customers that have supported our businesses over the years. We are very grateful. We will miss all our customers that we have known most of our lives.”

Bridges and his wife will both turn 80 in June. Their birthdays are only 16 days apart. 

“It was a hard decision to make, but it was time to for a new season in our life,” Pat Bridges said. “I want to thank all of the wonderful customers and friends that have shopped with us over the years. God has blessed us with many excellent associates. Without them we could not have made it for the last 50 years. God bless all of them.”

Just last month DuWayne sold his business to Tim Speaks and his family out of Auburn. They have been friends for years. Speaks’ two youngest sons will be running the Boot Outlet and developing the property. The Bridges’ family wishes them much success.

After years in business, Bridges participated in local charities and politics. He was the chair of Valley Haven Hike-Bike-Run for 20 years. He was the chair of the Chamber of Commerce and more. He was recruited to run for the House of Representatives District 38 three times before becoming the Representative for several terms before retiring. His district included parts of Chambers and Lee Counties.

Over the years, Bridges has met every governor from the days of George Wallace until the present governor Kay Ivey. He has met President George W. Bush, Rudi Giuliani, Michael Gorbachev and Chuck Norris.

Eric Aguirre is a long-term friend and sales representative at Los Altos Boots. He has advised the Bridges family for years. The Bridges family will miss him and many of their friends in the western and boot industry.