10 Old-Timey General Stores In Ohio

Tucked into charming towns like Mesopotamia, Zoar, Chagrin Falls, and Kidron, these ten old-timey general stores in Ohio offer more than just shelves stocked with jams, toys, and handmade soaps—they’re time machines. These much-loved institutions, some dating back to the early 1800s, were once the heartbeats of their communities, where settlers gathered for everyday supplies, the latest gossip, and a bag of penny candy to take home for the kids. Today, they still welcome curious visitors with creaky floors, antique cash registers, and a warm sense of nostalgia.

End of the Commons General Store, Mesopotamia

Built in 1840, the End of the Commons General Store in Mesopotamia (not that Mesopotamia) is Ohio’s oldest operating general store. The old-timey general store sits at the south end of the town’s center, known as “The Commons,” and is surrounded by numerous landmark buildings that predate the American Civil War. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places. In its heyday, the store supplied household items and food to the early settlers and also served as a community gathering place.

In 1982, Ken and Margaret Schaden, along with their 11 children, purchased the iconic general store and all its contents, which included dry goods, original cash registers, scales, and canned goods dating back to the 19th century. Today, the mishmash of vintage memorabilia, including a barber’s chair and an old player piano, is displayed throughout the store, earning it a well-deserved reputation as a must-stop attraction in the Buckeye State.

Today, the End of the Commons General Store offers over 150 kinds of soda in glass bottles, penny candy priced at a penny, homemade fudge, Amish cheese and meats, hard-to-find items, and much more. The store is rumored to sell the best Fry Pies, which are handcrafted flaky pastries with a sweet filling, in all of Ohio and possibly the United States.

Roscoe General Store, Coshocton

The Roscoe General Store is a family-owned and operated, old-fashioned general store offering a variety of goods, including candy, vintage toys, cookbooks, and a range of home necessities, located in historic Roscoe Village. The Roscoe General Store building was built in 1870 by John Barkhurst as a drug store and general store. In 2016, the old general store was purchased by the McKenna family, renovated, and reopened with a splashy ribbon-cutting ceremony, a welcome addition to the 19th-century living history community that depicts life in Ohio’s Canal Era.

A top tourist attraction in the state, Roscoe Village is a beautifully restored canal-era town where visitors can experience life as it was in the 1830s. A tour of Roscoe Village starts at the Visitor Center, where costumed interpreters demonstrate hands-on activities, like candle dipping, tin punching, and rope making, before embarking on a walking tour through a blacksmith shop, a doctor’s office, and an old schoolhouse. The tour includes stops for lunch at the Warehouse Restaurant, a circa 1838 one-time warehouse for canal cargo, which later served as a general merchandise store, and the Roscoe Post Office. The Roscoe General Store is another stop on the tour.

Olivesburg General Store, Ashland

The Olivesburg General Store was founded in 1840, and in the ensuing 185 years, it has served the residents of Ashland and Richland County. The store’s old-time atmosphere and decor harken back to simpler times, but the shelves are primarily stocked with the staples of modern life, along with a few collectibles, Ol’ Tyme candy, jams, jellies, and more. Made-to-order sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, and deep-fried favorites, including mini corn dogs, wings, and jalapeno poppers, are available on the menu at the small counter. The ice cream bar also serves hand-dipped cones, milkshakes, and sundaes.

If you’re visiting the Olivesburg General Store, be sure to look up and admire the ceiling lights, which are rumored to be the original ceiling lights used in the critically acclaimed 1994 film “The Shawshank Redemption,” which was filmed nearby in Mansfield. While the bulk of the film was shot at the Ohio State Reformatory, now a major tourist attraction in Mansfield, many of the small towns and businesses contributed props and ambiance to replicate the 1940s-1960s prison environment. For fans of Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, the movie, or the Stephen King novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” on which it was based, download a map of The Shawshank Trail and hit the road on a self-guided driving tour of 16 locations during filming.

Chatham General Store, Medina

The Chatham General Store is located in Medina, approximately 35 miles from the vibrant city of Cleveland. The store was built in 1854 by the Packard Brothers from New York and changed hands at least ten times over the years. It was then acquired by Beverly and Bill Scandlon, who purchased the store, including its licensing, stock, and land, at auction in 2020. Since then, the new owners have restored the store to resemble a genuine old-timey general store and inherited a National Cash Register from the granddaughter of the 1864 shopkeeper. There’s a Local Goods Room that showcases Made-in-Ohio products, including honey, maple syrup, handmade crafts, regional artwork, and soap. The Back Porch is well-stocked with branded camping, hunting, and fishing gear. There’s a full-service deli, a walk-in beer and wine cooler, and an updated ice cream booth scooping up 12 flavors of ice cream.

Kelleys Island General Store, Kelleys Island

Kelleys Island General Store has all the old-timey general store charm, including a wood-frame exterior, a welcoming front porch, and a false front —a classic architectural feature common to old-time general stores, where the upper façade of the building is taller than the roof behind it. The store was established in 1978 and has served the 250 full-time residents and seasonal visitors to the laid-back Lake Erie destination ever since. The general store on Kelleys Island caters mainly to tourists with an ample supply of beach gear, like water shoes, sunglasses, baseball caps, and other Kelley’s Island merch. If you’re looking to tour top sites on Kelleys Island—like the Glacial Grooves, Inscription Rock, and the 677-acre Kelleys Island State Park beach—the general store is the go-to spot, with four- and six-seat gasoline golf carts available to rent.

Company Store, Negley

For antique enthusiasts, pickers, and collectors of all kinds, the Company Store in Negley is a must-stop on the Ohio Antique Trail, a statewide map identifying antique shops, malls, and markets to help treasure hunters discover hidden gems. Originally a coal company store, where miners and their families could purchase supplies that were automatically deducted from miners’ paychecks, it is now well-known among contemporary antique dealers for its warm, general store vibe. The building was constructed in the 1860s and still has its original pine floors. There’s also a room upstairs whose walls are adorned with names written in elaborate 19th-century handwriting, untouched by time. The Company Store reportedly has no paid employees; instead, it relies on friends who help out in exchange for items in the shop.

Ben Franklin, Oberlin

Even though it doesn’t have the words “general store” in its name, Ben Franklin should be on any list of old-timey general stores in Ohio. Initially, a nationwide chain of five-and-dime stores across the U.S., the franchise was started by the Butler Brothers. At one time, the stores numbered in the thousands, popping up in states like Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, got his start managing a Ben Franklin store in Newport, Arkansas.

The Oberlin Ben Franklin first opened its doors in September 1935, and was owned and operated by John Cochrane. From the 1960s until 2001, the store was managed by his daughter, who later sold it to its current owner, Krista Long, who opened a new used bookstore called MindFair Books in-store. With its tagline, “Redefining Brick and Mortar,” the Ben Franklin Store is an institution in the hometown of Oberlin College and Conservatory, a liberal arts school. The store’s inventory offers a diverse selection, featuring a mix of classic variety goods, school supplies, toys, and games. The venue also hosts book and poetry readings, group gatherings, and concerts, just like the old general stores of days gone by.

Lehman’s, Kidron

Lehman’s, located in Ohio’s Amish Country, Kidron, was founded in 1955 by the late Jay Lehman as “Lehman Hardware and Appliances” to serve the local Amish community. The store offers a wide range of products catering to a lifestyle without electricity, living up to its tagline, “For a simpler life.” Over the years, world events have significantly contributed to the store's massive success, including the 1970s Energy Crisis, the Y2K Scare, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it is an international business that ships its products all over the globe. The store’s mail-order catalogs have even earned Lehman’s a place in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

At its heart, Lehman’s is like an old-fashioned store. It specializes in antique-style appliances, retro home furnishings, non-electric kitchenware, vintage toys, and thousands more items that will transport you back to a bygone era. Lehman’s clientele includes Amish and Mennonite customers, homesteaders, off-gridders, DIYers, and super fans of the store—Lehmanites.

Popcorn Shop, Chagrin Falls

The Popcorn Shop in Chagrin Falls is a landmark in the picturesque waterfall village, located approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland. In 1836, the site of the present-day Popcorn Shop was once occupied by a gristmill owned and operated by Washington Gates. In 1874, a showroom displaying “The Pride of the Falls” grocery items and an office were added to the mill, which continued to operate into the early 1900s. By 1931, the mill had been torn down, but the office and showroom were salvaged and operated under several businesses over the years, including a shoe repair shop and a dry cleaner.

In 1948, the Popcorn Shop opened in the remaining building, and the 75+-year-old business has been a top destination for tourists ever since, serving the sweet snacks to celebrities, sports stars, and even President George W. Bush and his family in September 2004. Today, the shop continues to draw in visitors with its numerous flavors of popcorn, like Chagrin Style, Peanuttiest Caramel, and Sweet Sriracha Cheese, classic popcorn tins, and Popcorn Shop merch.

Zoar Store, Zoar

The Zoar Store was built in 1833 in the Zoar Historic Village, founded in 1817 by German Christian separatists seeking refuge from religious persecution. Named after the biblical town where Lot and his daughters found safety, Zoar became one of the longest-running communal settlements in the U.S., alongside the Amana Colonies in Iowa. Today, fewer than 200 people call the National Historic Landmark village home, where over 50 well-preserved 19th-century buildings still stand, simply named, such as the Cider House, the School House, or the Zoar Store. Once the commune’s store, post office, and supply hub, it is now the must-visit historic village’s gift shop.

The Zoar Historic Village is a top tourist attraction in the Buckeye State, operated by the Zoar Community Association, offering guided and self-guided tours, living history demonstrations, and seasonal events, including Christmas in Zoar and Maifest, a traditional German celebration.

A Trip Back In Time At These Ohio General Stores

Ohio’s old-timey general stores are deeply rooted in the state's history. From the canal-era stores, such as the Roscoe General Store, to the Amish traditions still honored at Lehman’s in Kidron, general stores have significantly shaped Ohio’s identity. Even today, walking into one feels like stepping back in time, where the creak of the floorboards and the smell of fresh fudge tell stories that date back more than a century. Whether you're enjoying a fry pie at End of the Commons, admiring the movie props in Olivesburg, or exploring communal life at the Historic Zoar Village, these places invite you to slow down, look around, and rediscover the simple pleasures of the past.