Favorite General Store in Every New England State
From fine food and wedding dresses to hardware and the latest neighborhood news, the general store was the original one-stop shop. Learn where to find our favorite general store in every New England state.
By Joe Bills|Oct 30 2018|
The Old Country Store & Museum | Moultonborough, NH
Credit: Cathryn McCannFavorite General Store in Every New England State
With a 195-year run from 1812 to 2007, the Conecticut’s Colebrook Store set a state longevity record. Since reopening in 2014, it has picked up right where it left off.
Credit: Photo by Magicpiano / CC BY-SACredit: Photo by Magicpiano / CC BY-SA
The Colebrook Store | Colebrook, CT
Founded in 1812, the Colebrook Store is Connecticut’s oldest general store. It was open continuously from 1812 until 2007, which gives it the distinction of being the state’s retail longevity champ. It was launched by Martin and Solomon Rockwell, members of one of Colebrook’s founding families. There have been multiple owners over the years, and each has put their own spin on the store’s offerings. In 2007, the shop’s owner put out a sign saying that the shop was “Closed for Vacation.” That break lasted seven years. The Colebrook Preservation Society now owns the building, and since its return the Colebrook Store has become not only a go-to place for breakfast and lunch, groceries, candy, baked goods, ice cream, and locally made products, but also an occasional performance venue.
The Old Country Store is a beautiful yellow building in the town of Moultonborough, NH.
Credit: Cathryn McCannCredit: Cathryn McCann
The Old Country Store and Museum | Moultonborough, NH
Though the records get a bit murky, a good case can be made that the Old Country Store and Museum got its start in 1781. Built on land that was awarded to Jonathan Moulton for his service during the Revolutionary War, the structure was the only one depicted in its region on a 1784 map. Over the years, the store has also served as a library and a post office and has hosted town meetings. Today, the Old Country Store is a mash-up of tourist attraction and old-timey general store, complete with candles, toys, shoes, local products, kitchenware, and penny candy, with a pickle barrel, maple syrup, and a good dose of John Deere merchandise just waiting to go home with you.
At Dan & Whit’s General Store, “If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It,” is more than just a slogan.
Credit: Courtesy of Dan & Whit’s General StoreCredit: Courtesy of Dan & Whit's General Store
Dan & Whit’s General Store | Norwich, VT
By the time Dan Fraser and Whit Hicks purchased Merrill’s General Store in 1955, they’d each been working there for more than 20 years. Under their ownership, the name changed, but otherwise they continued to build on the foundation of the then-60-something-year-old store. Today Dan & Whit’s is still in their families, and the store has kept up with the times without losing its charm. Stop in for a breakfast sandwich in the morning, and you may well leave with a fresh eggplant, some new underwear, a bottle of wine, or a bag of feed for your sheep. Don’t have sheep? They may be able to help you there, too….
With roots stretching back to 1792 (the year that George Washington was re-elected), Davoll’s General Store has seen a lot of New England history.
Credit: Photo by John Phelan / CC BY
How did Wilburs General Store in Little Compton RI not make the list.
Alley’s market on Martha’s vineyard
Jeb’s In North Conway NH
Remember Spag’s in Worcester, MA? In a class of its own :)!!
Spag’s was on rte 9 in Shrewsbury. After Anthony “Spaghetti” Borgatti died, his daughters kept it open for a while but it was never the same. I remember my father standing in line to get the free “ bare root” tomato plants that they gave away every spring. So many wonderful memories of shopping there. It wasn’t unusual to run into Spag in the store wearing his 10 gallon hat, which he always had on. He would stop and talk to customers. After it closed in 2004, a few discount/ salvage stores operated there. It was sad to see it torn down a few years ago. Now a grocery store , restaurants and other retail stores are at that location . The grocery store has paid tribute to Spag which is wonderful to see.
Mr Borgatti’s shortened nickname was Spag.