7 Old-Timey General Stores In New Jersey

New Jersey was the third state to ratify the Constitution back in 1787, and traces of its colonial heritage can still be found in its general stores. Beyond kitsch and snacks, these all-purpose stores live on as a testament to American entrepreneurial spirit and reflect the period during which they were created. Each of these wayside stops fed communities, and offered a safe haven on long meadowland treks for generations of mid-Atlantic travelers.

The Oldwick General Store

The Oldwick General Store has been in operation in Tewksbury Township, once known as New Germantown, since 1760. The original owner, Godfrey Reinhardt, actually lived in the store, sleeping in one corner and selling in another. Farmers would barter with produce such as meat, fruit, and butter for essentials like sugar, flour, and rice. Though much has changed since its 1760 construction, the Oldwick General Store is still a place many seek for respite. In the 1980s, it expanded to accommodate this demand and added a 65-seat restaurant which sells deli sandwiches, pastries, ice cream and more. The Oldwick General Store is now owned and operated by chef Sam Freund, who personally oversees the menu and kitchen of this historic touchstone.

Stillwater Cafe

This local landmark originally went by the name of the George D. Garris General Store. It was founded by George D. Garris, Civil War veteran and local entrepreneur, way back in 1876. George personally oversaw every detail of the store until his death at the age of 91 in 1938, and was actually honored by the United States Chamber of Commerce as the oldest merchant in the nation. The Garris family would own and operate the store for decades more, and it was eventually sold to the Voris family, close friends of the Garrises.

George D. Garris's name is still emblazoned above the cafe's front door, which now calls the historic building of the old general store home. The original siding of the building is still in place and maintained, as well as an out-of-service Texaco gas pump. The Stillwater Cafe also houses the Stillwater Post Office, which, while retaining its original charm, has been modernized to keep up with new regulations. The cafe's kitchen offers everything you might want, including beef short ribs and crème brûlée, keeping locals and out-of-towners alike fed and happy.

The Ralston General Store Museum

Though now a museum, Ralston General Store is one of the oldest surviving general store buildings in all of the United States. John Ralston moved from Philadelphia to Mendham Township and built the Ralston General Store in 1785. In the days following the Revolutionary War, the store survived by allowing items like liquor, cloth, produce, and ironworks to be traded for goods such as cotton, tobacco, and the odd luxury in lieu of monetary exchange. Stagecoaches and barges traveled the trade routes between the colonies of New York and Georgia, laden with a menagerie of wares.

The store would survive multiple wars after that, including the Civil War, until 1893. At that point, it became the building which housed the local post office, but even that came to an end in 1941. Then, with the birth of the Ralston Historical Association, the location was saved. In 1945, the Association succeeded in having the location placed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and in 1964, turned it into a museum. The Ralston General Store is now part time capsule, part schoolroom. Antique supplies and recreations, including maps, photographs, and other artifacts, decorate the space, each a talking point in a conversation, each a tool to learn about local and national history.

The Allenwood General Country Store

Some places outlive the bones of the buildings they once inhabited, and thus, must find a home in another. Such is the existence of the Allenwood General Store. According to research performed by The Old Wall Historical Society, there has been a general store either on or near the site of the current-day Allenwood General Store from around 1850. It was in 1972 that the store was purchased by the Herbert family, who own it to this day. They refurbished the Allenwood General Country Store to honor its historic roots, keeping every bit of original architecture they could, including the original sign. The Herbert Family now operates the location as both a restaurant and an antique gallery, featuring various trinkets that would have once been for sale in the establishment.

Whitesbog General Store

The Whitesbog General Store is located in the time capsule otherwise known as Whitesbog Village. In the early 1900s, Whitesbog was the location for one of the largest cranberry farms of its era. Later, between 1911 and 1916, it would also be the location for the first successful commercial highbush blueberry crops. The building of the Whitesbog General Store dates back to 1924, and is surrounded by historic reconstruction and preservation efforts, including 25 buildings listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places. The town itself is surrounded by over 3,000 acres of cranberry bogs and blueberry fields, many of which are watered by a series of reservoirs sheltered by the tall trees of the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. The Whitesbog General Store is still active, and makes a point to stock its shelves with items that are reflective of Whitesbog's history. Cranberry and blueberry sodas, jams, salsas, and sauces line the shelves, all available for purchase.

Richland General Store

The Richland General Store looks and functions much as it first did in 1907, and remains an old-fashioned independent hardware store serving the Richland community. This is a place where construction workers come to get a deli sandwich and a new pair of boots. Its weathered wooden counters show more than a century of use. They are nothing like the crisp, sharp surfaces of modern retailers. While other big-box and large-chain stores have come and gone, The Richland General Store has stood the test of time, doing what it does best: selling paint, hardware, and whatever other tools the community needs.

The General Store, Millbrook Village

The General Store and Post Office at Millbrook Village interprets 19th-century rural life in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The building was moved to the village in 1973 and stands on the site of Millbrook's original general store. Even in the 21st century, the store is a hub of activity. On various weekends through the year, educational events are hosted to demonstrate skills and tools of the late 19th century. National Park volunteers and reenactors help to educate visitors in the arts of weaving, woodworking, blacksmithing, and other 19th century skills.

Antique Convenience Stores

Modern convenience has shaped much of our world. The forerunners of the modern convenience store carry on in New Jersey's historic general stores, some of which predate the founding of the United States. These general stores have kept the spirit of Americana alive, providing the elusive "third space" where locals and strangers can come together to exchange news and goods. What now serves deli sandwiches and sunscreen are the same places that once thrived on bartered produce, loose change, and possibility.