Built and operated by Albert Goble in the 1890's, A.W. Goble General Merchandise was one of four grocery stores serving the growing town of Humboldt Wells. The store was sold and renamed Pyper's in the 1920's. The Smith family purchased the store in the 1940's and continued to operate the grocery store. Life-long Wells resident Jesse Sharp found a receipt from Goble's General Merchandise among his father Phil's posessions. The receipt lists: 1 sack beans... 87¢, 1 keg vinegar... 35¢, 1 keg pickles... 35¢1 box paste... 45¢, 1 box tea... 45¢, 1 crate lard... 50¢, 1 box candles... 20¢, 1 box dry fruit... 25¢, 1 pair shoes... $4.00. A month's supply of milk totaled $7.50.