5 Old-Timey General Stores In Vermont

Maybe it's the maple syrup, but time flows a bit slower in Vermont, where green is in the name, and the main airport is lined with rocking chairs. Weston's Vermont Country Store still offers penny candy mixed, matched, and sold by the pound from within its red board walls. In downtown Stowe, family-owned general stores specialize in Vermont-made jams, while Woodstock’s shops sell a mix of vintage goods and bric-a-brac. Here are five of Vermont's best old-timey general stores, where you can step, and shop, back in time under the bluest of skies.

The Vermont Country Store

The Vermont Country Store has stayed true to its roots since opening in 1946. Located in the Green Mountain village of Weston, this old-school mercantile was a dream of Vermont native Vrest Orton. Following his service in WWII, Orton craved simpler times, recalling a childhood spent in his father’s cozy general store. This nostalgia inspired Orton to keep the tradition alive with his own Vermont Country Store, which remains family-owned to this day.

Tucked along Weston’s Main Street, the Vermont Country Store has made a point to stay warm, personal, and old-fashioned. While modern refrigeration and packaging were an unavoidable change, candy counters, apothecary shelves, and wood barrels add historic flair. The wares also stick to Vrest Orton’s values, striving for quality with Vermont-produced classics, such as maple syrup, candies, and cheeses. Other hard-to-find goods also line their shelves, including vintage toys and kitchen gadgets.

Shaw's General Store

Founded in 1895, Shaw's General Store predates Stowe’s ski resort reputation. After saving up just under $1000, Howard E. Shaw opened his mercantile on Main Street, not knowing the legacy it had in store. The one-stop shop sold everything locals needed, from farming equipment and hardware to groceries and wood stoves. Over time, it became a family business. Shaw and his wife took up residence upstairs, where she gave birth to their son, who would later take over the iconic local landmark.

Today, Shaw's General Store is still managed by 5th-generation Shaws. The business has the same floors and counters that Shaw himself once walked and wiped, now stocked with Stowe souvenirs, artisan gifts, and vintage toys. You may not find all the same goods Shaw sold here, but the shelves are still lined with Vermont staples, including winterwear and maple products. More importantly, the store’s hospitality remains just as warm.

Stowe Mercantile

Not far from Shaw's General Store, Stowe Mercantile is another family-owned shop steeped in tradition. The store first opened its doors in 1987, originally selling Vermont arts and crafts. Within a few years, it transformed into the eclectic country store we see today. The mercantile may not have the same history as Shaw’s, but you would never know this walking through. Rustic wood counters, basket displays, and personable shopkeepers give Stowe Mercantile an authentic general store feel.

Similar to Shaw’s, the goods in Stowe Mercantile include a rich mix of old and new. You can find nostalgic favorites like homemade fudge and their old-fashioned penny candy counter. Maple products are also displayed throughout, ranging from syrups to jellies. For a unique modern souvenir, Stowe Mercantile also sells Stowe-branded clothing, gourmet jams, and doggy treats.

H. Gillingham & Sons

To truly step back in time, head to the heart of Woodstock, Vermont, to shop at F. H. Gillingham & Sons. Founded in 1886 by Frank Henry Gillingham, today the mercantile is one of the nation’s oldest same family-run general stores. The Elm Street business is tucked inside its original brick building, and still extends the heartfelt guarantee of its founder: "Your money's worth or your money back."

Wandering the store’s creaky wood floorboards, you will find quality goods stacked high and low on its wood shelves and counters. Specialty jellies and artisanal cheeses are sold alongside routine groceries, making it the type of place where tourists and locals shop in unison. F. H. Gillingham & Sons also sells a wide range of general store classics, including farm-fresh produce, jarred candies and confections, and fresh baked goods.

South Woodstock Country Store

Nearby, the South Woodstock Country Store has a history spanning nearly 200 years. Although the rural landmark has seen its share of ups and downs, the business was revitalized in 2017. After purchasing the historic building and property, a family of real estate developers transformed the store while keeping its historic integrity intact. Today, the South Woodstock Country Store provides hamlet residents and visitors with wholesome bites, grocery staples, and souvenirs, paired with old-fashioned hospitality.

The South Woodstock Country Store Café has a straightforward menu spotlighting locally sourced ingredients. Hot and cold coffees and sandwiches are a highlight, while special items pop up every so often, including maple ice “creemies.” In the general store portion, you can also shop or browse Vermont-made goodies, regional groceries, and locally-crafted souvenirs.

Shopping Like It Used To Be

In a world of online shopping and grocery delivery apps, the American general store is a breath of fresh air. Vermont’s historic general stores take things a step further, embodying New England’s famous hospitality and family values. In Woodstock, F. H. Gillingham & Sons offers the same money-back guarantee from its 19th-century founder. In Stowe, Shaw's General Store is still being run by the shop’s 5th-generation Shaws. Ultimately, shopping at these general stores is like walking through a time capsule, frozen in an era when shopping was more social, personal, and interactive.