10 Old-Timey General Stores In Pennsylvania

Known for its rolling Appalachian Mountains, thriving Amish Country, and pivotal role in American history, Pennsylvania offers a rich tapestry of landmarks and traditions—beautifully embodied in its old-timey general stores. More than quaint shops—these general stores are living pieces of history that reflect the charm and resilience of their small towns. Gathering places, community hubs, and purveyors of unique local goods, these iconic general stores remind visitors of simpler times. From the historic Lumberville General Store, founded in 1775, to the vibrant Country Junction in Lehighton, each store has its own story.

Lumberville General Store (Lumberville)

Pennsylvania’s oldest operating general store is the Lumberville General Store, which first opened its doors in 1775. It was founded by Revolutionary War hero Colonel George Wall Jr., who originally named the area “Wall’s Landing.” Thanks to the success of several lumber mills in the region, the town was renamed Lumberville, and the store became known as the Lumberville General Store. For a time, the store was owned by artist Martin Johnson Heade, a co-founder of the “Luminist” style of landscape painting, and later by his niece, who owned it from 1939 until 1973.

Today, the Lumberville General Store is a pretty café that serves breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats, in addition to renting bikes, near the Delaware Canal towpath. It’s a popular spot for hikers and cyclists, who are often seen enjoying cappuccinos outside on Adirondack chairs. The general store is also a great pit stop for outdoor enthusiasts walking across the Lumberville-Raven Rock pedestrian bridge, one of only two pedestrian bridges over the Delaware River, connecting historic Lumberville with Raven Rock, New Jersey.

The Old Country Store (Intercourse)

The Old Country Store is the oldest in the village of Intercourse in the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster County. Built in 1833 by Jacob Wenger, it was sold a year later to Moses Eaby, who was joined by his son Jason in running the family business, selling fabric, clothing, housewares, and appliances. In 1881, a fire destroyed the building, but it was rebuilt in brick. The store remained in the Eaby family until 1931, when it changed hands a few times, operating as an antique business and a quilt shop.

From 1986 until 2013, the second story of the store was home to the Quilt Museum, a top quilting museum in the U.S. In 2014, the store was purchased by Dean and Jan Mast and their partners, who are dedicated to carrying on the tradition of offering fabric, locally made crafts, quilts and quilting supplies, kitchen gadgets, and preserved jams and jellies.

Birchrunville General Store (Birchrunville)

The Birchrunville General Store is a historic general store in West Vincent Township. Built in 1898 by brothers Thomas B. and I.L. Dewees, the late Victorian style building was initially constructed to serve as a creamery. Later, it was home to a general store, a post office, and an upstairs meeting hall, complete with a stage. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. In the late 1970s, the general store morphed into a café, but it wasn’t until 1999 that it transitioned into the foodie favorite that it is today, the Birchrunville Store Café.

Owned and operated by Chef Francis Pascal, who relocated from France to the United States in 1989, the cozy BYOB eatery seats 38 diners inside and 16 outside on the front and back porches, by reservation only. The café maintains the old-timey general store’s original rustic charm and historic character. It offers an incredibly mouthwatering menu, listing seasonal items like Ahi Tuna Carpaccio with Lobster & Crab Meat, Boneless Breast of Duck a L’Orange, and Chilean Sea Bass with Wasabi mashed potatoes and a Cabernet Sauvignon Sirup.

The Turn General Store (Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area)

The Turn General Store, located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, is a landmark building also known as Turn's Bushkill General Store. Built in two sections, the Turn General Store’s oldest part dates back to around 1837 and forms the rear of the structure. The front addition was added in 1916, creating a two-and-a-half-story building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Over the years, the Turn Store evolved from a traditional general store. In the 1990s, it operated as the “Deli Depot,” selling groceries, deli foods, and crafts. In 2012, new owners restored the building, running it as “The Roost Deli and Market.” In 2024, it opened under new management as a casual Italian restaurant called “Marlucas.”

Taylorsville General Store (Washington Crossing)

The Taylorsville General Store is in the small, historically significant village of Washington Crossing, whose name comes from George Washington’s daring crossing over the Delaware River during the American Revolution. Before becoming the historic village of Washington Crossing, the area was known as Taylorsville, named after the wealthy Taylor family, who operated a ferry service over the river and built a tavern. Mahlon K. Taylor opened the Taylorsville General Store around 1828, which also served as the post office for the village, where Mahlon Taylor was its postmaster for nearly four decades. Like many general stores in the early 19th century, the store was a community meeting place to exchange news, stay connected, and buy essential goods and services.

Today, the renovated Taylorsville Store is an essential part of the Washington Crossing Historic Park, where visitors can explore several landmark buildings, including McConkey’s Ferry Inn, built in 1752, Mahlon K. Taylor’s 1816-1817-built home, and the homes of other members of the Taylor family. On June 14, 2025, the original general store will hold an “Attic Treasures Sale,” where antique hunters can expect a thoughtfully curated mix of antiques, artwork, china, and collectibles.

Ella C. Ehrhardt General Store (Newfoundland)

The roots of the general store business run deep in the Ehrhardt family, when Frederick A. Ehrhardt moved from Saxony, Germany, to the small town of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania. With $200 in his pocket, he purchased a stock of general merchandise and opened a store on Main Street in 1860. Thirty years later, he built a new store across the street.

Today, the striking white and orange Greek Revival building known as the Ella C. Ehrhardt General Store, which was named after his daughter, has remained in the Ehrhardt family since its 1890 opening, and everything in the store is almost entirely original. In 1975, Ella sold the store to her great niece; then Ella passed away at the age of ninety-eight. The general store is open seasonally from spring until late fall, and sells an assortment of penny candy and a ton of general store stuff like baskets, signs, figurines, and other treasures from the past.

Wanamakers General Store (Kempton)

The family-owned Wanamakers General Store is in the small town of Kempton in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where it has served the community since 1886 when it was owned by Elias Hoppes, who ran the store + women’s hat shop until 1905. Hoppes sold the store to Irwin P. Reinhart, his son-in-law, who ran it as Reinhart’s Store until he passed it to his son, who operated it from 1929 until his death in 1978. From 1979 to 2003, the store reopened under new ownership as Wanamakers.

Today, current owner Kyra Hendricks is committed to preserving the charm and history of the original general store while creating a fun retail experience. The store sells basic grocery staples alongside locally-sourced products, like organic honey, coffee, jams, baked goods, and homemade pickles. There are made-to-order sandwiches from their deli counter, homemade soups, and seasonal produce from local farmers. There’s also an eclectic collection of old-fashioned toys, crafts from nearby artisans, and fishing supplies.

The Forksville General Store (Forksville)

No one can remember a time when the Forksville General Store wasn’t around in one incarnation or another. The store was constructed by 18-year-old Sadler S. Rogers, an American builder and farmer responsible for building the now-historic Forksville Covered Bridge in 1850. Since 1851, the Forksville General Store has been an upholstery store, a barber shop, a bakery, a gas station, and today is one of the top cheesesteak and hoagie joints in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Known as Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies, the former old-timey general store is the perfect spot to nab one of their famous OG Philly Cheesesteaks with a side of Famous Dirty Jersey Fries to-go and explore the Forksville Covered Bridge next door or the nearby ominously-named Worlds End State Park. The shop also sells candy, souvenirs, and general store supplies.

Country Junction (Lehighton)

Country Junction in Lehighton proudly bills itself as the World’s Largest General Store. While technically not a veritable old store, it is a modern take on the old-timey general stores that were lifelines in rural communities across America during the 18th to early-20th centuries. Established in 1983 by husband and wife, Jim and Jan Everett, it was initially a thermal insulation company called “The Service Team.” Thanks to constant customer requests, the store began stocking more items than building supplies, and grew from there.

Today, Country Junction is as much a tribute to the general stores of yesteryear as it is a massive tourist attraction, attracting visitors from New York, Philadelphia, and anyone vacationing in the Poconos Mountains. It’s hard to miss. At over 80,000 square feet, the main space carries everything from potato peelers and jam to candles and clothing. There’s a hardware store, furniture store, retail wine store, and bakery. Outside, there’s a petting zoo, carnival rides, and year-round special events.

Baumunk’s General Store (Shunk)

The family-owned Baumunk’s General Store was founded in 1934 as part of L.L. Baumunk & Sons, a lumber, pallet, and general store business, in a former general store once owned by Ambrose E. Campbell, whose name still adorns the building. Today, the store markets itself as “an old-fashioned general store conveniently located in the middle of nowhere.” It sells local and Pennsylvania-made products and unique gifts, like Shunk coffee mugs, shot glasses, hoodies, and beer coozies. Inside the store, there’s a small café with a menu full of comfort food, like burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, fried foods, and Hershey’s ice cream.

Stepping into an old-time general store in Pennsylvania feels like walking through history. These charming landmarks, tucked into small towns and scenic countryside, evoke a sense of nostalgia with their creaky wooden floors, antique decor, and shelves stocked with handmade goods, local treats, and timeless treasures. These old-timey general stores capture the spirit of a bygone era, where neighbors gathered to gossip, pick up mail, and let the kids buy a bag of penny candy. Visiting them is more than shopping—it’s experiencing a slice of the past in the present.