9 Old-Timey General Stores In Connecticut
Dating back as far as 1787, Connecticut's general stores were the lifeblood of young rural communities. They were called general stores because, well, they sold just about everything. Alongside their communal importance, these general stores have survived numerous owners, fires, and deteriorating buildings. Many of the stores listed here were also the local post office or provided space for the town government. Find old-timey general stores in Connecticut that have changed with the times and are still in business.
The Riverton General Store in Barkhamsted
In 1899, Charles Rowley purchased a 10-year-old building and opened up the Riverton General Store. After 1907, both Rowley and his son, Alcott, served as the village postmasters and ran the post office out of their shop. This store was the true center of Riverton's daily and social life, with the upstairs hall serving as a meeting place for organizations that mattered deeply to locals, such as the Riverton Grange.
In 1910, a separate building that actually pre-dates the main store building was attached and became a wing, adding additional retail space. Numerous owners have operated the shop since that time, all trying to preserve the historical significance of the building's original Italianate-style. Italianate-style, popular at the time, is so named because it is fashioned after pastoral farmhouses from the Italian countryside and features distinct details, such as tall vertical windows and low-pitched roofs, with chunky pediments and scroll-cut wooden brackets.
Walk in today, and you will find original wooden drawers and soft oak flooring. Current owners, Matt Benoit and Donna Martin, purchased the shop in 2024 and serve deli sandwiches, daily specials, and convenience items, keeping up that general store flavor. A part of the National Register-listed Riverton Historic District, it is still a strong social center of the town.
The Old Store Museum and Gift Shop in Sherman
Although it is not known exactly when the building that now houses The Old Store Museum and Gift Shop was constructed, we do know that David Northrop purchased it sometime before 1802, when the town of Sherman was incorporated. His shop was essential for the quickly expanding population. Northrop's white-columned shop and farmlands were listed on the Grand List of Taxes as the most valuable property in town.
Since that time, the building has had many owners, all of them continuing to use it as a general store. In 1998, the Sherman Historical Society purchased the shop and transformed it into the museum and gift shop that it is today. Within its current iteration is a display that teaches visitors about its history and the historic services of general stores. A variety of modern gift items are sold, and every effort is made to continue the old country store vibe. The shop is run entirely by volunteers, and all of the proceeds go towards meticulously maintaining the shop and supporting the society's programs.
The Hampton General Store in Hampton
The Hampton General Store has been operated as a general store since 1816. In its early days, it functioned as the staple go-to store for Windham County. At that time, it housed the Town Clerk's office upstairs and a small post office in a back room. Locals would gather in the shop every evening waiting for the mail delivery from the train station. This added to the importance of the shop's place in town as a social gathering spot.
Over time, the shop has had numerous owners and has survived three large fires. Each time it was repaired, it evolved with the times. Several memorable shopkeepers are remembered, including Frannie Wade, who sponsored soda guzzling and ice cream eating contests in the 60s.
The shop remained empty for a few years in the early 2000s. In 2022, the current owner, Kara Hicks, reopened it, giving its exterior fresh paint and green-striped awnings. Inside, a variety of groceries are stocked, along with freshly baked bread, homemade frozen meals, and vintage gifts. There is still a soda fountain for root beer floats and ice cream sodas. Most importantly, the warm atmosphere keeps this store's popularity going strong.
The Mansfield General Store in Mansfield Center
The Mansfield General Store is a central feature of the Mansfield Center Historic District. It was originally called the Weeks Store, after Charles Weeks, who built it in 1886. The town, originally settled in 1692, was unlike other settlements in the area because the townspeople chose to avoid the development of manufacturing businesses that made use of nearby rivers. Instead, it became primarily residential, and the shop provided much-needed goods and services.
The second floor of the original store was named Elmwood Hall and used for various community events. The local post office was also in the building, on and off, in between the late 19th century and into the 20th century.
Over the years, new owners ran a variety of retail businesses in the building. The second floor was rented out as apartments for a time. Finally, in 2017, the building had deteriorated to a point where it was no longer safe. In 2024, a local resident, Andre Bennatan, purchased it and facilitated a complete, historically accurate renovation. It is now home to three different businesses, including the popular Lisa's Chocolate & Gifts.
G.M. Thompson & Sons Inc. in Mansfield Depot
In nearby Mansfield Depot sits another long-standing general store, G.M. Thompson & Sons. This multi-generational business is still owned by the Thompson family today.
In 1875, Charles W. DeWolfe of New London purchased the building and began to operate a general store and grain feed supplier. He sold it to Merrit Smith, who added an apartment to the second floor, where his grandson, G. Merrit Thompson, was born.
One of the owners, Martin A. Hansen, put an addition to the back of the building and began to sell meats and other groceries, and also allotted space to the Mansfield Depot Post Office. After a few other changes in ownership, G. Merrit Thompson bought it back again and turned it into the business it is today, along with his three sons.
G. M. Thompson & Sons is now a major supplier for local farms, selling feed grain, other farm necessities, and pet supplies. In the 1980s, the family added a deli counter at the back and began to sell some groceries and snacks, going full circle back to the building's original place in the community. The façade of the building retains its look as an old-time general store, with wooden siding and a long front porch.
The Newtown General Store in Newtown
The Newtown General Store opened its doors in 1847 and has been operating ever since. The original owner, David H. Johnson, sold groceries, textiles, farm equipment, grain, and just about anything else that was needed for day-to-day life in the mid-1880s. It was the true lifeline of the community, surrounding farms, and other small towns.
In 1868, Johnson sold the store to L.B. Booth, who renovated and reinforced it well enough to make it last for many decades to come. An early photographer, Henry Cook, took images of it right before the renovation began, giving us an idea of how a shop like this might have looked before the Civil War. The store has been photographed and featured in articles ever since, even being used by Breyer Ice Cream in early television commercials.
The current owner, Peter Leone, purchased the shop in 1999, transforming it into a deli, lunch counter, and catering service, retaining its perfectly restored appearance. The store also sells penny candy in glass jars, further evoking its past.
Hadlyme Country Market in Hadlyme
Lee Luther Brockway first established the Hadlyme Country Market in 1905 as the L.L. Brockway Store. This classic general store originally served travelers using the nearby Connecticut River ferry. At first, those passengers rode by on horses and then, over time, on automobiles. Brockway sold refreshments, horse feed, and eventually auto supplies. It also sold groceries and other goods to locals. The store was a community gathering space and also housed a post office. The US Postal Service still shares space with the market today.
In 2012, there was a thorough renovation, restoring it to its 20th-century appearance, complete with light blue siding, white trim, and an octagonal window above. Today, the shop serves breakfast and pastries, pizza and sandwiches, and also stocks gifts and locally produced goods, along with groceries. It is still a community gathering space.
W.L. Wellwood General Store in Coventry
The building that once housed the W. L. Wellwood General Store holds the distinctive honor of being the oldest standing general store building in the US. A part of the current building was constructed in 1787 and used as a small shop and living space. 1820 saw a Greek Revival addition, and over the years, other rooms have been added on.
In the 1800s, the Loomis family owned it and rented it out to various retail tenants. Its location was ideal, as the stagecoach stopped nearby in its earlier days, and then a trolley. The building is rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. In 1974, new owners turned it into an antique store and then, after a brief restoration, back into a country general-style store.
Today, this white-columned building houses Coventry Arts & Antiques, featuring local Connecticut artists and antiques, specializing in vintage glass.
The Round Hill Store in Greenwich
The Round Hill Store in Greenwich is thought to be the oldest continuously running general store in the US. Built in 1801, it first served as a stagecoach stop and a general store for local farmers. It was also the local post office between the years of 1830 and 1901. At some point, it was moved across the street from its original location. It isn't known exactly when this happened, but photographic evidence shows that by 1920, it was in its current spot.
In the early 1900s, the Strain family purchased the store and ran it for four generations until 2026. During their tenure, they added an automobile service station at the back. More recent family members also added a deli and a food truck, while retaining some antique touches, such as the original cash register and porch.
In 2026, the building, in danger of being purchased by developers, was acquired by the Round Hill Preservation Society. This entity was created and funded by locals Chuck Royce and the Brumberg family, who wanted to retain its place in the history of Greenwich. As of 2026, the new owners are still deciding how the shop can best serve the community. In the meantime, they continue to run the general store, deli, and service station.
General stores are an important reminder of how our ancestors survived. Many of them have evolved into other retail businesses, such as gift or antique shops. Others, though, continue to provide those who live in small towns with groceries and community. These stores, in particular, carry decades and even centuries of history, making the shopping trip even more meaningful.
