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After the first year, Helen and Wallace wanted there investment money back because they didn’t think the store would stay open with such low sales. So, J D was able to get a small loan from Colonial Bank to pay them back. J D continued to run the store with all his heart and soul. The rent was 10% of the sales. Due to such low sales, the rent wasn’t enough for the owner of the shopping center. The owner of the shopping center, Mr. Clayton, wanted more rent from J D.  Instead of paying more rent,   J D was able to purchase the shopping center. He received a loan from SouthTrust Bank at prime rate. At the end of the 3rd year, sales started up and continued to go up over the next several years. He added on to the side of the store around 1985. This was the only way he could receive a tracker trailer load of soft drinks to get a better price. More additions came to the front of the store around 1988. In 1990, a large storage room was added above the building next to the store. This was so he could start purchasing truck loads of paper products direct from the manufacturers and other companies. J D’s son, James David Hill, III (known as David), started running the store around this time period, because J D wanted to start traveling. In January 2004, David retired and his son John David Hill purchased the store. Today, Hill’s Foodland is being operated by John David, owner and general manager with the help of other family members.

J D’s wife Kathleen Hill passed away in January, 2001. He remarried in June of 2001 to Beatrice Maddox from Texas. J D and Bea traveled back and forth the next four years between homes to be with their families. J D was always involved in the stores operations until his death on December 16, 2005.