It’s hard to find an old country store in operation these days. I see some old ones here and there, mostly boarded up, abandoned and run down. I asked some folks on Facebook if they knew of any that were still open. I got all sorts of responses. Some folks suggested Cracker Barrel and I had to laugh! Clearly these people are much younger than me or not from around here. I mentioned worn wooden floors and hoop cheese and there were folks who knew just what I meant. They gave me some good leads and I guess I’ll have to make some day trips to see some of them.
The country stores I knew were, most times, wooden structures that could be of any size or shape. Some could look fairly ramshackle – as if they might fall down in a big gust of wind – but they never…
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ARTiculation 
This is SO evocative – something so intrinsically rural USA, that I know only from ancient films and tales. One of the aspects of America that I used to dream about! Other countries had their own individually- owned retail stores that had their own unique character that we can all get nostalgic about, but your country stores seem to have been something really special and different. Thanks again for your great gift of words.
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Oh, my. Thank you. What a fine compliment. Thank you especially for being open to something foreign to you. Your willingness to step into my world is a gift to me. 🙂
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Linda, this just warms my heart and rekindles thoughts of those happier times.
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Thank you. A bit of summertime nostalgia – good for the soul.
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We had a country store that became a tourist spot. It was fun to take our visitors there.
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How interesting! I assume it is no longer in operation? Where was it located?
Thanks for reading!
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St James General Store in St James NY came right up on the internet. It was built in 1857 and will open at 10 a.m. Photos show the creaky wooden floor. I’ll bet it still smells like handmade soap. Thanks for bringing back pleasant memories.
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Wow! Thanks so much for sharing. I need to add it to my bucket list. 🙂
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I found one other statement about St James General Store. It is the oldest continuously operating general store in the US!!
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You know, there probably still are a few stores that resemble, more or less, the ones of your youth. Maybe in Mississippi or Louisiana? — I’m only guessing.
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I remember country stores!!! The Olive family on Church Street used to have one out on the highway from Zebulon and Wakefield.
Thanks for the good memory.
Love, Celia
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