I love when things like that happen so serendipitously. I find small towns can either be so welcoming and endearing, like your experience, or so creepy that just stopping at a gas station for a few minutes gives me the heebie jeebies. (Perhaps a gas station is not the best indicator of a town's general pulse, but sometimes you gotta go with your gut feeling.) 

I hope your day turns around and is less Alexander-ish. (Love that book, btw.)