8 Old-Timey General Stores In The Northern United States

American General Stores that survive for decades, if not hundreds of years, carry a value that cannot be measured in weight or dollars. With the stores we have here, such as Doud's market on Mackinac Island, each locale represents generational ambitions passed from one family member to the next. This transition brings more than just location and commercial function; stories, community spirit, and aesthetics from another era are preserved into our present day, and visitors have the privilege of basking in all that tradition. Yet today, you have the opportunity to bask away— remotely.

Longmire General Store — Mount Rainier NP, Washington

General stores evolved from the frontier concept of a trading post, so nothing evokes the image more purely than a log cabin surrounded by woods under the shadow of a mountain like Rainier. Yet, Longmire serves function as well as fashion. Weather appropriate outfits, postcards to send home as proof of your wilderness foray, decorative mugs and bottles of wine— and nobody would judge you should you drink one from inside the other. The store was originally built 114 years ago in 1911, where it operated as a clubhouse and then an employees center. The Longmire Historic District Walking Tour keeps it as a necessary stop along a 1.25 mile self-guided tour of roads, trails, and curiously-old buildings.

The Old Country Store & Museum — Moultonborough, New Hampshire

Largest, sweetest, finest— but no '-est' adjective matters more for a classic General store than 'oldest,' and The Old Country Store & Museum (OCSM) might just hold that heavyweight belt. This beautifully yellow-shaded building was constructed in the style of New England vernacular architecture, and the storekeeping goes back to the year 1781, so OCSM is no knock-off; rather, it is the source of inspiration. One of the reasons it was an ideal pick to host a museum for the area is that it was actually central to many events and decisions, due to its being used as a town hall, post office, and stagecoach stop. Antique signs, appliances, ledgers, and classic sweet treats can be found inside, like locally made jams and syrup or even pickles in a giant barrel. So, while many of the general stores here fit a specific aesthetic, OCSM is one of the few that does its best to put you in the shoes of the customers it had hundreds of years ago.

The Vermont Country Store — Weston, Vermont

I remember watching classic Christmas commercials and being enthralled with the idea of stepping into a postcard-esque shop with cheeses, hams, toys, trees, lights, and tinsel. Some decades later, my wish is granted in the form of The Vermont Country Store. The hardwood floors and timber support beams are 90 percent of the aesthetic for a proper Old-Time shop, but the friendliness of being greeted like you are a regular neighbor when you first walk in brings this location above and beyond all expectations. Functionally, it is planted between Okemo and Green Mountain National Forest, so if you were not in the mood to 'rough it' before entering, you would be after, considering that nobody can resist splurging on such neat tools and traditional treats. Speaking of tradition, this store has one of the few catalogs in the US that is mentioned by the Smithsonian's Postal Museum as a prime example of mid-century mail-order marketing. That delightful nugget of information makes sense because the store was founded by the Orton's in 1946 and designed to remind Vrest Orton of his favorite boyhood store from 1897.

The Brewster Store — Brewster, Massachusetts (Cape Cod)

Brewster's location has been cleverly successful since the church building was first built in 1852, and then, the steeple was knocked off for it to be converted into a general store by William W. Knowles in 1866. It is parked between the busy, urban port of Boston and the peculiarly rural Cape Cod peninsula that wraps around the bay. This middle-man strategy has succeeded well into the 21st century, where it continues to sell fresh-ground coffee, pastries, and a lovely porch bench to sit and yuck it up with locals. Some of the classic goods you can expect to browse inside include fudge, salt-water taffy, marine-themed puzzles, and oil-lamp parts, all of which sit amongst decorations like an ornate hand-made miniature carousel as well as original World War I & II posters.

End of the Commons General Store — Mesopotamia, Ohio

A family of 11 children owned and operated this store when it was first built in 1840. Whether or not those extra hands helped or distracted the store staff, it is hard to say, but the store's survival and success into the 21st century hints that the crew ran the End of the Commons General Store like a well-oiled machine. Speaking of efficiency, the store first opened to serve the local Amish community, and today its penny candy, which line the shelves, 'truly costs a penny.' Goods like meats and cheeses, homemade fudge, and 150 varieties of glass-bottle soda are further proof that this store began and never ended in the traditions that founded it. If you are looking for it, it is hard to miss at the junction of Kinsman and Phelps Creek just east of Cleveland thanks to the scultpure of a replica horse and buggy by the front porch.

Doud’s Market — Mackinac Island, Michigan

Americans love a family-owned business, and Doud's Market epitomizes that strength with its history. It was first opened in 1884 by the brothers James and Patrick Doud, and Andrew Doud is now the 4th generation owner of this beautifully maintained hub. The store proudly lines the walls with family pictures that go back to its opening era, so reminiscing is always an option for the older folks who knew the prior members personally. Fresh produce, cheeses, and olives line the inside, and bikes line the outside, given its essential role at the heart of Mackinac Island's small-town downtown. The topic of vehicles is peculiar on this street and the island as a whole; it is a car-free community, so horse-drawn drays clop and roll every which way, and Doud's Market staff personally deliver grocery orders on request.

Marine General Store — Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota

Rivers have operated as the world's de facto highways for goods and travel for thousands of years. That is at least one clue as to why the Marine General Store was built alongside the St. Croix River in 1849, and another is its purpose to provide support for loggers who effectively used the river to transport timber to and from their sawmill. "Bakery Deli" and "Grocery Gifts" are splayed in large font on the front windows to deliver a message about the store's traditional utilitarian purpose. Yet, inside, the original pine floors reflect warm lights onto immaculate shelves loaded with jars and essentials. It is also worth mentioning that the film industry consistently uses the location for scenes in pieces like "Grumpier Old Men," "The Cure," and various commercials. However, Marine General Store did not get such acclaim simply because it was the State's oldest continuously operated general store. It did it by hosting free cake-and-music socials during events like its recent 175th birthday.

Ehlers General Store — Cornucopia, Wisconsin (South Shore of Lake Superior)

For all of the reasons above about transportation and supplies, Ehlers General Store hit the jackpot when it was built in 1915 alongside the South Shore of Lake Superior. The store underwent a renovation in 2007, but this was primarily an expansion of its ability to offer a deli and other goods rather than a total reconstruction; so, the owners clearly intend to preserve its historic grace. When you first pull up, you may notice various folks eating and relaxing outside at a homey-looking set of grills and dining tables. However, Ehlers comes with quite the reputation for having sandwiches "out of this world," which justifies the price tag which is necessary to enjoy the freshest ingredients. Even the history has quality— Ehlers was founded by a bookkeeper who lost his job when a fire destroyed three mills at the lumber company he worked for. So, support this classic American "comeback" story by checking it out for yourself.

Age Equals Beauty

Like a fine wine, general stores ferment; literally, nothing beats the fantastic spirits and beverages that are up for sale when you are hours away from civilization. This nexus-like quality of general stores is what makes them so iconic. For hundreds of years, rural community members have met up and saturated these places with memories and relationships that, by virtue of the chain of connection with family owners, survive today. If you want to be immortalized, likewise, feel free to venture in and share your journey in one of these iconic American trading posts.