It seems wherever poor people live is the “company town”. They receive $10 worth of products, but their account is charged $25 at the Company Store.
Old-timers will recall Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “16 Tons”:
“I owe my soul to the Company Store.”
Yep, and I guess that makes an old-timer. :-)
I have no idea how many times I listened to that and sang along, probably still know most every word.