7 Old-Timey General Stores In Vermont

Long before the days of Costco and Amazon delivery, Americans shopped at their closest general store, a one-stop shop selling everything they needed. For Vermonters, this meant stocking up on essentials that could not be farmed or produced at home, including imported and specialized goods. With many of these stores doubling as a local Post Office or restaurant, general stores also evolved into spirited social hubs.

While modern stores like Walmart certainly feel like they have everything we need, they also lack the coziness and hospitality that general stores are famous for. Luckily, for those seeking the charms of a general store in 2025, you can still find a pretty spectacular collection preserved throughout the Green Mountain State. From authentic 19th-century country stores to more modern shops modeled after the past, these enchanting Vermont attractions invite you to ditch your online shopping cart and wander back to a time of penny candy and old-fashioned soda fountains.

Shaw's General Store, Stowe

Perched proudly in the heart of Main Street Stowe, Shaw's General Store has been a staple of the community since 1895. Back then, Stowe’s stunning mountain scenery made it a popular summer resort, and Howard E. Shaw saw his chance to open a mercantile store in the up-and-coming town. Initially co-owned with C.A. Simmons, the two sold everything the town needed: clothing, farm tools, stoves, groceries, and a range of other general goods. Shaw’s success soon allowed him to buy out Simmons and take on additional community projects, including two sawmills, countless farms, and a grist mill; however, his beloved General Store remained his main legacy and has been family-owned and operated ever since.

When Stowe eventually transitioned into a famous ski destination, Shaw's son converted part of the general store into the town’s first ski shop in 1936. Today, the shop’s fifth-generation owner has made additional changes to update the place, selling modern apparel and souvenirs. However, he is equally committed to maintaining the original general store atmosphere, values, and hospitality. Even the floors and countertops are the originals walked and wiped by Howard E. Shaw, giving the place an authentic blend of old and new.

Stowe Mercantile, Stowe

Just across the road from Shaw's, Stowe Mercantile is a more recent business with all the charms of an old-fashioned general store. Founded by Marc Sherman in the 1980s, the business began as a fine art store. However, just as Howard E. Shaw saw success, Sherman’s vision did as well, soon expanding to include five stores collectively known as Stowe Mercantile. In similar general store fashion, the business has since become a family affair, run by Sherman, his wife, and their daughters.

Much like Shaw’s, Stowe Mercantile sells a mix of old and new, but the overall feel is that of an old-timey general store. At the Boutique portion of the shop, women can browse fashionable apparel, while the rest of the store offers the more traditional goods one would find in a classic general store. Customers can browse long wooden counters lined with jars of penny candy and shelves stacked with jellies, jams, and Vermont’s famous maple syrup. Even the more modern goods, like candles and soaps, are packaged with old-fashioned labels, adding to the immersive atmosphere.

F. H. Gillingham & Sons, Woodstock

With the time-honored motto "Your money's worth or your money back,” F. H. Gillingham & Sons is another historic general store preserving its past. Founded in 1886 by Frank Henry Gillingham, this Woodstock landmark prides itself on being one of Vermont’s “Oldest Same Family-Run General Stores.” Today, its present owners, Frank and Jireh Billings, carry on their great-grandfather’s legacy, sharing a devotion to hospitality and quality at a fair price.

Like other Vermont general stores, F. H. Gillingham & Sons has adapted its inventory to suit the times without deserting historic favorites. Inside, the store’s long wooden shelves are neatly striped with penny candy jars, maple butters, and Vermont fruit jams, while modern reach-in coolers keep locally sourced cheeses fresh. In other sections of F. H. Gillingham & Sons, grocery shelves are packed with all the essentials, while fun non-essentials, including toys and decorative goods, are displayed with an old-fashioned flair. With goods arranged on checkered tablecloths and displayed in rustic barrels, these simple touches transport visitors back in time.

South Woodstock Country Store, South Woodstock

In nearby South Woodstock, a family of developers saw potential in the hamlet, deciding to revitalize the unincorporated town by giving its historic businesses a fresh identity. Among these included the South Woodstock Country Store, preserving a nearly 200-year history while bringing South Woodstock into the 21st century. After purchasing the property in 2017, the South Woodstock Country Store was rebranded, giving the rustic shop/cafe a more chic edge. However, historic preservation was also heavily prioritized. While trendy menu items like Pesto Chicken Salad Wraps were added, the modern twist was balanced with classic menu favorites, like the cafe’s signature simple grilled cheese.

Other rustic elements have been preserved in the store, including its creaky floors and built-in wood cabinets. On these cabinet shelves, visitors can find a mix of simple and stylish goods, from handmade soaps and crafts to artisanal housewares and wines. As with all good general stores, shoppers can also browse the more typical goods like cleaning products and groceries. However, the best thing maintained in this historic country store, rooted in honoring its history, is its mission to offer an inclusive space for people to connect.

The Vermont Country Store, Weston

Inspired by nostalgia for his father’s general store, Vrest and his wife Mildred Ellen Orton founded their own in 1946. The Vermont Country Store, set in the quiet town of Weston, was one of the earliest examples of a restored rural general store, as many had been phased out by increased urbanization and big box retailers. Recalling his father’s shop, Vrest sought to recreate the cozy atmosphere that had since been lost to less intimate chain stores.

This nostalgia for simpler times was apparently sought by others as well. Following the store’s popularity, an additional location was opened in Rockingham, Vermont, in 1968. Still family-owned by Ortons in 2025, both locations prioritize old-fashioned hospitality, employing “Purveyors of the Practical and Hard-to-Find.” Whether shopping for fun or necessity, visitors can find an impressive range of personal care items, gifts, old-fashioned candy, and just about anything else you can think of.

Marshfield Village Store, Marshfield

Since its founding in 1868, the Marshfield Village Store has been a mainstay of the rural community, offering a place to socialize and shop for essentials. However, with countless Vermont general stores shutting down due to COVID-19 and economic hardships, the Marshfield Village Store faced the same risk when it went up for sale. Wanting to save the historic locale, Eddleman McCormick and several others fundraised $700,000 to purchase it in 2022. They have since converted the Marshfield Village Store into a worker-owned cooperative, with the goal of maintaining a sense of community and offering affordable and accessible goods.

Today, much of the store’s offerings remain the same: fresh coffee, deli sandwiches, and a warm welcome. Marshfield residents can also find all the essentials and extras for daily life, including groceries, hunting gear, wine, and handmade soaps. But above all else, the Marshfield Village Store is a living representation of Old Vermont, preserving a time when Walmarts and Targets were nowhere in sight.

Coolidge Family Store, Plymouth

While no longer open for business in the traditional sense, the Coolidge Family Store is still a remarkable landmark worth visiting. Tucked away in the Green Mountains village of Plymouth, the Coolidge Family Store now serves as a museum and gift shop within the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. Built sometime before 1835, the two-story clapboard building was owned by the Coolidge Family, serving the local community as a general store for many years.

The building’s immaculate preservation is impressive in itself, although most visit the site for its ties to Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States. The attached residence was the birthplace of the former president and it was also where Calvin’s father conducted the presidential oath to his son in 1923. Open to the public from late-May to mid-October, this historic general store is a must-see for any history lover.

Support Vermont’s Old-Timey General Stores in 2025

Although shopping at big-box stores is a huge convenience, these multi-billion dollar businesses lack the charm, warmth, and sense of connection you are guaranteed at Vermont’s general stores. Unfortunately, as more and more of these historic gems shut down for good, the closer we are to losing this part of Vermont’s heritage. While shopping at large chains is often incredibly accessible, the next time you find yourself near a general store, mom-and-pop shop, or a locally owned business, consider offering up your support. These stores may be a bit more out-of-the-way, but the service and quality are well worth the detour.