7 Old-Timey General Stores on the Gulf Coast

Bordering the Gulf of Mexico, five coastal states share its immense shoreline: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. If you are heading to one of these beachside states, you will want to make sure you have all the essentials needed for the day: sunscreen, snacks, beach towels, and maybe even a boogie board!

A classic general store is often the one place to find all of these items. Along the Gulf Coast, many of these classic shops are targeted toward beachcombers, and their wares reflect that. Whether you need to pick up anything for a beach day or want to grab a souvenir from your seaside trip, check out these old-timey general stores!

Indian Pass General Store - Indian Pass, Florida

For over 115 years, no commercial development had been constructed along County Road 30A in the Indian Pass community, located in Port St. Joe, except for a lone raw bar. That is, until the Indian Pass General Store sprang up, with architectural nods to the “Old Florida” style, like a large front porch and low-pitched roofs.

Across the highway from the famed seafood restaurant Indian Pass Raw Bar, nestled amongst the cabbage palms, this modern store with a classic Florida vibe offers bountiful items for its patrons. Along with standard groceries and alcohol, they are known for providing locally sourced honey, fishing supplies like bait and tackle, sunscreen, toiletries, shirts, and much more.

U.G. White Mercantile - Athens, Alabama

Opened in 1917, U.G. White Mercantile in downtown Athens is one of Alabama’s oldest general stores. In its early days, it served farmers and mill workers by carrying dry goods, hardware, and groceries. Over the years, it has added other favorite items, like candy, vintage signage, and other odds and ends.

This store still retains much of its character in the modern day, with its old-timey wooden floors, aged shelving, and all-around small-town feel. It still functions as a retail shop where locals and visitors alike can shop for everyday needs. It has passed through four generations to its current owner, making it another rare surviving example of Gulf Coast-region general stores that have kept doing business across generations.

Richloam General Store - Webster, Florida

Once the Express Office, then Post Office, and eventually a full-fledged general store, the Richloam General Store was founded and built in 1922 in none other than the community of Richloam. It was restored in 2016 and still stands today, serving the community in many ways.

As one of Florida’s oldest stores, this establishment was even listed on the National Register for Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This achievement was made official in 2017 after reopening from its 2016 renovations.

Stop in this historic building and pick up camping essentials, groceries for everyday life, or a local souvenir if you want one. From supplies needed for cooking over an open fire to jams, meats, and cheeses, to hats and decals, Richloam General Store has a little bit of everything.

T.C. Lindsey & Co. General Store - Jonesville, Texas

Located near the Louisiana border in Jonesville, this gem has supplied the community for over 175 years. Founded in 1847, T.C. Lindsey & Co. is a true old-school staple in East Texas. This longstanding shop carries hardware, farm supplies, household goods, jams, jellies, and period-appropriate “old-time” items like hoop cheese.

The spot doubles as a museum too, with antiques and historic photographs lining the walls, reinforcing its place as both a business and a record of community life. Furthermore, the wood-frame building continues to proudly show off its original counters, shelves, and wide-plank floors, giving you a glimpse of everyday trade before modern supermarkets.

Simmons-Wright Company - Kewanee, Mississippi

The Simmons-Wright Company, founded in 1884, is recognized as the oldest operating country store in Mississippi. Located near the Alabama border, it has served generations of farmers, travelers, and locals with an inventory that still reflects its longstanding 19th-century roots. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and proudly displays original features such as pressed-tin ceilings, wide wooden counters, and tall shelving packed with goods for sale.

Today, you can purchase various cheeses, locally made syrups, smoked meats, and other staples once essential to rural life. But beyond those goods, the store also functions as a café and gathering spot, where hungry visitors can enjoy Southern specialties like fried catfish or barbecue.

Bradley’s Country Store - Tallahassee, Florida

Originally built in 1927, Bradley’s Country Store is a true landmark of North Florida’s rural heritage. Family-owned for nearly a century, the store still operates in its original building along Centerville Road. Inside, you will find shelves stocked with stone-ground grits, cane syrup, deli goods, and traditional candies. However, the store is most famous for its smoked sausages, which are made on-site using recipes passed down through generations. Original fixtures, like worn, wooden counters, narrow aisles, and vintage signage, surely make it feel unchanged from the 1920s.

Beyond groceries, Bradley’s serves as a cultural gathering point, hosting events such as the annual Fun Day, which draws crowds for food, music, and crafts. It is both a functioning store and a preserved piece of Florida’s small-town history, a definite must-visit for anyone driving near the Gulf Coast this year.

A.F. Carraway General Store - Bassfield, Mississippi

Opened in 1919, the A.F. Carraway General Store is one of the oldest continuously operating general stores along the Gulf Coast. Housed in its original clapboard building, the shop still sells groceries, hardware, and everyday staples. Many of its fixtures, like the hardwood floors, high ceilings, and even the original cash register, remain intact as well.

Family-run for generations, the store has been passed down and is now operated by descendants of longtime local workers. Here, you can still buy hoop cheese, bacon, tools, workwear, and farming supplies, helping to preserve the rural lifestyles of those around it deep within this southern state.

Stop By these Gulf Coast Staples on Your Next Road Trip

These seven general stores along the Gulf Coast are often more than just places to buy useful supplies; they are standing records of community life in this deep southern region of the country. From century-old counters and creaking floorboards to old-school delis filled with locally made goodies and shelves lined with preserves, the shops mentioned above keep traditions intact while still dutifully serving the towns around them. So, whether you want to stop at a historic landmark or need a quick bite to eat, make a point of seeking out these old-timey stores.