8 Old-Timey General Stores In Virginia

Virginia, one of the original 13 colonies and a state steeped in American history, is home to a treasure trove of old general and country stores that evoke a sense of nostalgia and old-fashioned charm. Dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, the old-timey general stores served as lifelines for rural communities, offering everything from farm tools and dry goods to gossip and friendship. Today, these eight old-timey general stores stand as living history, blending nostalgia with modern convenience and inviting visitors to step back in time while experiencing the enduring spirit of Virginia’s small towns.

Port Royal General Store and Auction House (Port Royal)

Celebrating its eighth year in business in May 2025, the Port Royal General Store and Auction House is a haven for curio collectors, vintage enthusiasts, and heirloom hunters. Located at the intersection of Routes 301 and 17 in the small historic town of Port Royal, the old-timey general store is a treasure trove of historical knick-knacks. From porcelain teacups and old-school LPs to cut-crystal ashtrays and fancy lamps, this charming shop has it all.

After visiting the general store, consider spending the rest of the day antiquing by downloading the Caroline and King George Counties Art & Antiques Trail Map. Check out nearby antique stores, including the Port Royal Trading Post and the Minnow Bucket, and stop for lunch at the old-fashioned Horne’s Restaurant, the last remaining full-service restaurant, gas station, and gift shop. Horne’s was a popular chain of restaurants founded in the 1940s that numbered over 60 eateries on busy highways across the southeastern United States.

Rick’s Antiques and General Store (Forest)

The charming and photogenic Rick’s Antiques and General Store in Forest was built circa 1876 and operated as the S.W. Lindsay and Sons General Merchandise, Groceries, and Provisions until 1978, serving as a vital hub for residents. The store is located off Route 811, next to the railroad tracks, and reflects the commercial and architectural style of rural Virginia in the early 20th century. The Lindsay Store, the name used by the locals, is remembered as a friendly spot to buy penny candy and milk, where travellers would stock up on supplies before boarding the train. The building was reopened as Rick’s Antiques and General Store around 2000.

The Floyd Country Store (Floyd)

While not much is known about the history of the Floyd Country Store in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, since 1910, the building housing the Floyd Country Store has been home to one place of business or another. It was a business called Farmer’s Supply at one time, a hardware store, and a store called Cockram’s General Store. Business was tough, though, and even though previous general stores closed, the building remained open and true to its reputation as a community meeting place where locals gathered to make music one evening a week in the now-famous “Friday Night Jamboree.” Thanks to a revitalization project, The Floyd Country Store and café were launched in 2007, and Floyd’s musical reputation earned the country store a spot on “The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.”

Today, Floyd’s is the go-to venue to listen to traditional Southern Appalachian music, sing, and dance. The Friday Night Jamboree is still going strong, and in addition to barrels of old-timey candy, hand-dipped ice cream from the in-store Soda Fountain, Floyd’s is also home to the Handmade Music School, which teaches bluegrass music to young musicians who want to learn to play, dance, or sing. The café serves brunch and lunch, with a special menu for event nights. A beloved part of the Floyd community, visitors to the country store and café can purchase a “Pay it Forward” coupon to leave for another diner to use.

Elmo Grocery (Elmo)

Built during the latter part of the 1700s, the Elmo Grocery in one incarnation or another has been a part of the Elmo community as long as anyone can remember. In 1790, it was known as the Melrose Academy, a prestigious boys' school whose last headmaster was Rev. John Mills, before it closed during the Civil War. In 1883, William Hayes bought the building to open it as a post office, but with the name “Melrose” already taken, he chose four letters from “Melrose” to spell E-L-M-O for his post office. When the post office closed for good in 1910, Frank Hicks bought it and opened it as a general store.

In 2015, farmers David and Denise Hudson purchased the general store to re-introduce it into the community and, according to their social media pages, as a place for friends to “gather, tell tales, smoke cigars, and drink adult beverages.”

Paint Bank General Store (Paint Bank)

The general store in Paint Bank is the heart of the community in the small town named for the iron ochre and red clay on the banks of Potts Creek. Established in 1910, the Paint Bank General Store is an authentic general store with the old hardwood floors and tin ceilings of days gone by. The general store prides itself on selling “a little bit of everything,” where shoppers will find jam, jellies, eggs, milk, penny-style candy, and locally-raised buffalo meat from nearby Hollow Hill Farm. With year-round Christmas displays, the gift shop sells ornaments, festive decorations, and souvenirs like ball caps and t-shirts. Downstairs, there is a cozy café called the Swinging Bridge Restaurant for an impromptu lunch.

Along with a visit to the nostalgic general store, it’s worth sticking around Paint Bank to explore the town’s ongoing commitment to preserving its history while promoting tourism. There is Hollow Hill Farm, which supports over 400 American bison, and the 1909 train depot turned bed and breakfast known as the Depot Lodge; a historic gristmill, Tingler’s Mill, dating back to 1863, showcases the work of local artisans on weekends from spring to fall.

Sugar Tree Country Store (McDowell)

The Sugar Tree Country Store is in Highland County, part of the Allegheny Mountains known as “Virginia’s Little Switzerland.” While the building dates back to the 1800s, not much is known about the history of the old country store. Established in 2005, the Sugar Tree Country Store and Sugar House is a small retail wholesaler of maple syrup, jam, and jellies owned by Glenn and Fern Heatwole and family. The family produces all the maple syrup in the country store from sugar maples growing on their property at elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 feet. In addition to a large variety of maple products, the store also sells candles, hand-crafted wooden toys, pottery, baskets, and more. They also carry locally sourced items like homemade apple butter and honey harvested from nearby farms.

BW Country Store (Wytheville)

The BW Country Store is located at the tourist attraction known as the Big Walker Lookout, which was founded in 1947. The store sits high atop Big Walker Mountain at the highest point on the Big Walker Mountain National Scenic Byway between Wytheville and Bland, Virginia. The popular tower and country store has been in the Kime family for almost 80 years, when Stuart Kime was inspired by a similar tower in Arkansas. The tower and the store were both built by Kime, whose granddaughter now runs the attraction, which draws thousands of tourists annually. From the top of the tower, viewers can see Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Sadly, in 2003, the original store burned to the ground and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Today, the BW Country Store features handmade goodies like old-fashioned fudge, relishes, and Virginia-made hand-dipped ice cream. Just as the local community supports the store, the store pays it forward by selling products and crafts made by local artists and craftspeople from the region. The store also hosts local musicians and in-store book signings with local artists.

Clifton General Store (Clifton)

Sitting next to the only railroad crossing still operating in Fairfax County, the Clifton General Store can be easily identified by the landmark Texaco tower and vintage “Clifton Store” Coca-Cola sign on the side of the building. The quaint store has been an institution in the historic town of Clifton for over 75 years. Originally a hub for general goods and everyday essentials, it continues to evoke a sense of nostalgia and small-town charm. Today, the general store occupies a corner of the Main Street Pub, an Irish-style pub and restaurant whose menu includes classics like burgers, fish and chips, and pulled pork sandwiches.

Whether dining in or grabbing take-out, visitors can still enjoy the convenience of the general store, which stocks last-minute groceries, candy, fresh flowers, t-shirts, and old-fashioned Coca-Cola in iconic glass bottles.

These eight old-timey general stores in Virginia offer a nostalgic journey into the past while still serving as vibrant community hubs today. From the eclectic Port Royal General Store and Auction House with its vintage treasures to the Friday Night Jamborees at the Floyd Country Store, each shop is unique. Whether it is the rustic charm of Rick’s Antiques in Forest, the sweet maple syrup at the Sugar Tree Country Store in McDowell, or the mountain views from the BW Country Store in Wytheville, these beloved landmarks celebrate the charm of small-town life in the Old Dominion.