10 Old-Timey General Stores In Ohio
Ohio's general stores have stood the test of time and are each iconic in their own way. The End of the Commons General Store has been in continuous operation since the 1840s, serving the town's large Amish population and preserving its cultural heritage. The Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop is housed in an iconic building, which was nearly destroyed in a car accident in the early 2000s. Today, the shop holds a nationwide reputation for its carefully-crafted artisan popcorn.
The following Ohio general stores range from family-owned hardware stores to 19th-century community staples that have been kept alive by locals for more than 150 years. Read on for their intriguing histories.
Chesterville General Store
The Chesterville General Store serves a double purpose in the community of Chesterville. Downstairs is the general store, while upstairs is the Masonic Lodge, Chester Lodge No. 238. The Masons first purchased this building, then called the J.A. Goble Dry Goods Store, in 1873, but it was destroyed by fire in 1899. The Masons rebuilt the building, only for it to suffer fires in 1912 and in 1939. The current building at the site was constructed in 1941.
Over the years, several grocery stores have occupied the lower levels, including a post office, while the Masons meet above. The current business is the Chesterville General Store, which sells deli meats, cheeses, soft drinks, sandwiches, and decorations. The store also hosts community events and is well-loved by residents and the Selover Public Library for its regular support of their initiatives and events.
Roscoe General Store
The Roscoe General Store is located in Coshocton, Ohio, within its restored Roscoe Village section. The village was laid out in 1816, and its growth accelerated after the Ohio and Erie Canal was built in the 1820s, with the first canal boat arriving in 1830. In 1870, John Barkhurst built a drugstore and general store. The building, renovated in the 1970s as part of the Roscoe Village project, now operates as the Roscoe General Store.
In keeping with the village's boutique feel, the general store stocks a wide variety of items, including cookbooks, toys, and home decor, as well as holiday wreaths for Christmas or Easter. The store also makes its own fudge.
General Pro Hardware
General Pro Hardware has been serving the Whitehouse, Ohio, community for more than 50 years. Sitting in northwestern Ohio, Whitehouse is a village in the Toledo Metropolitan Area, with a population of just under 5,000. The store was opened in 1972 by Raymond G. "Buzz" Chamberlain, who previously owned the Don Scott car dealership.
Today, this hardware store still upholds its commitment to the Whitehouse community, offering tools and supplies for indoor and outdoor projects, from repairs to gardening. Local reviewers have noted that despite the building's small size, it has a large collection of difficult-to-find items and rare tools. Reviewers have also been impressed with the friendliness of the store owners. Before his death, Buzz would regularly visit the store, and the current owners keep up his friendly hospitality.
Zoar Store
Located in Zoar, south of Akron and Cleveland, the Zoar Store is one of the oldest buildings on this list and has the most unusual history. The village of Zoar was founded in 1817 by a group of Radical Pietists, a breakoff from the Lutherans. They aimed to establish a small utopian community here, and they built the Zoar Store in 1833 for business operations. Over time, it served many different purposes, from a post office to a milk-churning facility in its basement.
Today, the Zoar Store doubles as a gift shop and information center for the utopian community. The store keeps up the community's original self-sufficient spirit with handmade goods, souvenirs, and gifts to take home. It's a part of the larger Zoar Historic Village, making it an ideal first stop.
Olivesburg General Store
The Olivesburg General Store has been meeting the needs of Ashland County, Ohio, since 1840, a mere 25 years after Ashland was laid out in 1815, and 38 years before Ashland College opened in the community. Today, the store offers many of the same necessities it has always provided, from groceries to household items. Locals come here to pick up made-to-order cold deli sandwiches. One of its top sellers is the Body Slammer sandwich with multiple meats and cheeses. The store also keeps hot lunches in stock, from subs to pizzas. The general store has won awards for its hand-dipped ice cream, but is also well known for its gifts and diverse selection of beers.
End of the Commons General Store
The End of the Commons General Store is widely described as Ohio's oldest operating general store, with continuous operation dating to 1840. It is located in Mesopotamia Township, a fitting name for the host town, considering Mesopotamia was the historic birthplace of some of the oldest civilizations.
The town also has a large Amish population, which bakes up Fry Pies for folks to purchase from the general store. These fried pies are meant to be eaten by hand and are among the store's most popular items.
In addition, the store prides itself on its wide selection, including more than 1,000 bulk food products, kitchen goods, homemade fudge, penny candy, and more than 150 types of old-fashioned sodas. It also maintains a Commons Cafe for lunch and dinner.
Kelleys Island General Store
Just off the shore of Lake Erie is a 4.41 square mile island known as Kelleys Island. The island was used as a military rendezvous during the War of 1812, and brothers Datus and Irad Kelley began buying land there in 1833; by 1840, the island bore their name and developed around lumber and limestone. Today, the island draws in Lake Erie tourists, and the Kelleys Island General Store has been meeting the needs of both tourists and residents alike since opening in 1978.
The building is a two-story wooden structure with a false front, with the porch and store proper beyond. Inside, visitors can find gifts such as Kelleys Island-branded t-shirts, along with basic groceries. The general store also provides rental golf carts for anyone who wants to get around town without driving a car.
Lehman's
Located in Kidron, Ohio, Lehman's was founded in 1955 by Jay Lehman as Lehman's Hardware. Like all general stores, it was built to serve the community, but in Kidron's case, it was meant to serve the large Amish population in the area.
The store specifically focuses on non-electric hardware tools to fit the Amish lifestyle. However, these tools were highly sought after by other Americans during the 1973 oil crisis, when gas shortages prompted people to seek low-tech alternatives. Now, the store serves all sorts of people, from survivalists to homesteaders. Its goods include food preservative tools, gardening tools, lamps, home decor, stoves, toys, and much more. It still keeps to its non-electric promise by selling natural gas or LP-powered refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances.
Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop
The Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop is a colorful store in Chagrin Falls, housed in a historic 1875 building. It initially featured a water-wheel gristmill and sold groceries under the name The Pride of the Falls. In 1949, Dorothy McClellan purchased the building and transformed it into the Popcorn Shop, selling deluxe popcorn, coffee, gifts, and candy. The store underwent significant renovations in 2000 after being struck by a van that pushed it close to the Chagrin River.
The store has attracted national attention, including a visit by George W. Bush in 2004 as part of his re-election campaign. The storefront is also featured on the cover of Bill Watterson's The Essential Calvin and Hobbes, which depicts a giant Calvin towering over landmarks in Chagrin Falls, Watterson's hometown.
As the name suggests, the Popcorn Shop's primary product is popcorn, sourced from small-batch Ohio farmers. It also sells vintage candy and Euclid Beach custard ice cream.
Chatham General Store
Located in Chatham Township in Medina County, the Chatham General Store was founded in 1854 by the Packard Brothers, 36 years after the town's founding. Since then, the store has remained a staple of the town, staying in business despite being operated by 10 different families over the years. During COVID-19, the store's future was in jeopardy as it was up for auction. However, Bill and Beverly Scandlon purchased the building and continue to operate it today.
The couple also aimed to make the store more reminiscent of the past by restoring its original Federal gray color and installing reproductions of its original lights. Today, the store sells a wide range of country goods, including pancake mixes, syrup, travel equipment, fishing poles, ammunition, home hardware, pet supplies, and more.
Old Vibes, New Goods
All of these general stores intentionally give off old-timey vibes. For example, the Chatham General Store was restored to resemble its days in the 1850s, while the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop keeps that old-town American vibe with a red, white, and blue canopy over its entrance. However, these stores don't just sell nostalgic products; they also keep in stock new goods, from golf cart rentals at Kelleys Island General Store to innovative low-tech products at Lehman's. Guests and visitors alike will discover all sorts of treasures in these vintage general store spaces.
