8 Old-Timey General Stores In Mississippi
Long ago, general stores in Mississippi were at the center of everyday life, especially in small towns like Quitman, Porterville, and Church Hill. These buildings often served more than one purpose, as they were go-to places to buy groceries and supplies but also where people picked up mail, filled up on gas, or visited the doctor. In Kewanee, for example, the Simmons-Wright Company Store operated alongside the railroad, while in Taylor, the local store later became a well-known restaurant. Some of these stores, like the Williams Brothers General Store in Philadelphia, are still open and serving customers. Others have been preserved or repurposed, holding on to the structure and layout that made them a familiar part of town life.
Taylor Grocery
Just a few miles south of Oxford, the small town of Taylor is home to a building that leans a little with age but still stands full of heart. Taylor Grocery got its start in the late 1800s when Duff Ragland opened it as a country store. Will Walker took over not long after and kept it going as a dry goods shop until around 1930. Then, in the late 1970s, it became what it’s best known as today—a laid-back catfish joint where the food’s as memorable as the stories. If you step inside it today, you'll feel like you’ve walked into a piece of living history. The walls are covered with faded photographs and keepsakes from years of good meals and good company. There are wooden shelves that still hold old grocery items and dusty knick-knacks, along with jars of Mississippi-made sauces and who-knows-what-else.
Williams Brothers General Store
Located in the city of Philadelphia, just 90 miles from Jackson, the Williams Brothers General Store has been a local institution since 1907. Family-owned and operated since the beginning, the store started as a dry goods and grocery business and has since evolved into a one-stop shop. Today, you'll find fully stocked shelves lined with everything from bulk goods to Mississippi-made products, plus apparel, footwear, and farming equipment and tools. It's also known for its sausages and smoked meats, often touted as the best in the state. Beyond its offerings, the store’s welcoming atmosphere makes you feel right at home, serving as a living piece of Mississippi’s heart for generations.
Simmons‑Wright Company Store
The Simmons‑Wright Company Store has been in continuous operation in Kewanee since 1884, making it one of Mississippi’s oldest general stores still open to the public. Built originally of wood and later reconstructed in brick after a fire in 1926, the store has changed remarkably little in appearance. The dimly lit space is packed with farm hardware, groceries, antiques, and local goods, just like it was more than a century ago. It also conveniently houses the 1884 Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch with a side of nostalgia. Even with Kewanee’s small population, the store still stands as a vital part of the community. Its ties to the old railroad and the Dixie Highway make it a landmark along some of Mississippi’s most storied travel routes.
Causeyville General Store
Built in 1895, the Causeyville General Store in Meridian is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with its classic false-front facade and deep wooden porch that instantly evokes an earlier era. Step through the screen door, and it’s like time slows down. The old hardwood floors creak beneath your feet, and wooden shelves are lined with groceries, antiques, and old glass-front cases filled with hoop cheese, roasted peanuts, and glass-bottled Coca-Cola. On Saturdays, the store’s stone-ground gristmill still runs, giving visitors a glimpse of how things used to be done. There’s also a small mechanical music museum filled with player pianos, antique radios, and vintage film posters, a personal collection that adds even more character to the space.
Scotsman General Store & Woodshop
The Scotsman General Store & Woodshop in Laurel embodies the warm nostalgia of a classic small town, infused with modern craftsmanship. Owned by HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier, the store is the second flagship in their Laurel Mercantile Company, anchored firmly in their hometown revival mission. Housed in a lovely restored historic building once used for pharmacies and feed stores, the store's identity is apparent from the moment you arrive. The bold hand-painted signage derives from old typography, a nod to the site’s legacy. Inside, you’ll find aisles lined with vintage sodas, retro candies, and unique gifts. One of the best parts of this general store is the woodshop, where you can watch cutting boards, furniture, and custom pieces being made, some of which end up on the Napiers’ hit show "Home Town."
Porterville General Store
The Porterville General Store, located in Porterville, was built in 1913 by Dr. W.F. Rogers after a previous store burned down. Positioned near the Sucarnoochee River, the wood-frame building with a brick foundation served as a central hub for the Porterville community. In addition to operating as a general store, it housed a doctor’s office, a post office, a bank, an automotive parts store, and an upstairs apartment. The structure includes original pine floors, tall wood shelving, glass display cases, and a wide porch that once featured gas pumps. Though it no longer functions as a store, the building remains largely intact, maintaining its original layout and interior features. In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building is used as an art studio, preserving its character as a representative example of early 20th-century rural commerce in Mississippi.
J.K. Kirkland General Merchandise Store
In 1905, J. K. Kirkland constructed a two‑story brick commercial building in Quitman’s downtown district, replacing a previous two‑story frame structure. The building was designed as a two‑part commercial block, seven bays wide, with stepped parapet sidewalls and a flat‑roofed rear awning. Its west elevation is devoid of openings, and many windows have since been bricked in. The storefront retains its original metal cornice and overall exterior character. Its interior features chamfered wooden posts rising to a beaded board ceiling, and a balcony with a balustrade encircles the upper interior level. The Kirkland family operated the general merchandise business in this building from its opening until at least World War II, gradually transitioning into hardware, appliances, and building supplies in later years. The structure is noted as one of Clarke County’s best‑preserved examples of early 20th‑century brick commercial architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wagner’s Store
Wagner’s Store, also known as Wagner’s Grocery, is a historic wood-frame general store located in the rural community of Church Hill. Originally built in the late 19th century by Emile Moser and Isaac Marx, the store was purchased by the Wagner family in 1928. It served as the community’s general store, gas station, voting precinct, and post office until postal services ceased in 1992. The store remained in operation until 1998 and is located across from Christ Church, a notable landmark in the area. The building is part of the Church Hill Rural Historic District and is one of the oldest surviving wooden country stores in Mississippi. Eventually, the Historic Natchez Foundation acquired the structure and began exterior renovations with support from the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative. Repairs included restoring the roof, replacing damaged siding, and repainting the structure in its historic color scheme. The building is being preserved for future public use, with plans to rehabilitate the interior as a potential visitor center or museum.
