The 27 Greatest
General Stores
In America
Brian Samuels | Vinal General Store
From the classics to the modern reimaginings, here are the best places in America to grab your provisions and sundries.
There’s nothing like an old-fashioned general store. The bell rings and welcomes you through the door. Friendly smiles greet from behind the counter. The weathered floorboards creak as you peruse a selection of fruit preserves, shaving cream, batteries, dairy—various sundries.
Back in the day, a town’s general store proved crucial to the community—a rural American’s hub for socialization, provisions and newsgathering. But we’re entering a new era.
Today, generals can thrive in urban spaces too, often hybridizing cafes, restaurants or houseware shops. They’re places with a neighborhood feel, spots to grab a cup of coffee or a snack, buy the essentials and shop local items made by craftspeople.
While general stores emphasize having a wide variety of goods, quality over quantity is king. The new generals don’t forsake the old school. Instead, they often draw inspiration from and re-interpret it. But that just makes the classics that much more special.
Here’s our list of the best 27 general stores across America—a blend of icons and modern gems.
Ace General
Tucked inside a 1900s carriage house and atop the hill on Water Street, sits Excelsior’s local gem. The best time to visit is during the Christmas season. Husband and wife duo Dan and Alex set up a bonfire s'mores bar, complemented with seasonal brews from Underwood Coffee, hot chocolate, and cider. Local hint: grab a bauble ornament off the outdoor trees. They’re filled with homemade cocktails. You’ll have to see it—or drink it—to believe it. - WD
Aladdin General Store
In the late 1890s a man was captivated by a play depicting the enchanting tales of One Thousand and One Nights. He founded a railroad town, naming it after the famous hero Aladdin. With visions of sultans, princesses, and distant deserts in his mind, he swiftly established a general store to anchor his new settlement. Today, the town may be small (just 15 residents) but it attracts curious travelers on their way to Devils Tower. - JW
Allen's Manix Store
Occasionally in life, you find one of those rare thin spaces where a little bit of heaven seems to slip into earth. Nowhere is this more clearly felt, seen and tasted than this 100-year-old staple in Montana. Conveniently located in perhaps the most gorgeous place in the world, Allen’s—also locally known as just “The Trading Post”—sits right at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front, offering travelers, pilgrims and locals alike the chance to find some joy and soul-rest before a big trek. The slogan, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it” rings true with just about every gift, tool, clothing item and goodie offered in the store. Be sure to snag one of Papa Steve’s famous maple bars, and expect a warm smile—or possibly a hug—from Susan and the family. - WD
Boston General Store
The one-stop shop for all things genuinely cool and truly unique is an absolute necessity for anyone looking for high-quality goods. As fun as it is to gatekeep something this great, we would rather let everyone know what they’re missing. -WD
Brooklin General Store
Smack dab in the middle of perfectly quaint Brooklin, Maine lies this sea-blue bungalow, which has served as the community’s beloved general store since way back in 1872. Rich with history and full of local warmth, Brooklin General truly captures the hallmark heartbeat of this coastal town. Shop local wares like custom tees, hats and mugs while you munch on delectable, house-made egg sandwiches and pastries. Then, grab a coffee and head across the street to the local library for a perfect Mainer’s morning. - WD
Carmel Highlands General Store
Branching out from the typical image of the general store on Main St, we’ve decided to include some of our favorite road-trip-worthy rest stops. In this line, there’s perhaps no greater example than the Highway 1 staple Carmel Highlands General Store. When venturing along the Big Sur coast, stop in to snag all the necessities—beer, wine, cheese, crackers, jams—for an impromptu picnic on the beach. If continuing on into dreamy Carmel-by-the-Sea, don’t miss out on delicious local coffee. Perfect for the road. - WD
Davoll's General Store
We’re not supposed to pick favorites on this list, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that Davoll’s checks all the boxes. First, it’s the oldest. Since its opening in 1793, the store has been lovingly owned and operated by fourteen different local families in South Dartmouth, leading all the way to its current shepherds, the delightful Shattucks. Second, it’s got everything. This old yellow house serves as a bookstore, gift shop, grocery market, cafe and pub. The selection is mind-boggling with a plethora of hand-crafted artisan goods, local products, draft brews, small-batch coffee—you name it. And finally, it happens to be the center for all things community: trivia nights on Wednesday, taco night and jam sessions on Thursday, family dinners on Friday, plus monthly Irish folk sessions, knitting club, book club, and readings from local authors. No matter where you’re reading from, Davoll’s is worth the pilgrimage. - WD
Des Moines Mercantile
A one-stop shop for heirloom-worthy items and everyday necessities, Des Moines Mercantile brings a small-town feel to the metropolitan capital of Iowa. Since construction in the early 1900s, the building has always served the community. Once it was a feed store, then an auto parts shop. Today it’s a modern general with offerings for the home and body. Here, they focus on skillfully-crafted, small-batch items. Think brooms locally made using refurbished antique equipment and eco-friendly bath products. - JW
Duke's General
Sure, a car wash isn’t the first place you’d expect to find a modern general. But Duke’s, located in the lobby of White Bridge Auto Wash, brings a roadside convenience unparalleled to the traditional brick-and-mortar shop. While your car gets a fresh shine, turn an ordinary wait into an opportunity to pick up everything from snacks to essentials—all without leaving the lot. - JW
End of the Commons General Store
Open since 1840, End of the Commons stands as Ohio’s oldest general store. It’s also nestled in the heart of Amish country—yes, many visitors come via horse and buggy. Stop in for a should-be-world-famous fry pie, a vanilla-glazed delicacy made in-house by Amish bakers—or, get one shipped right to your doorstep. - JW
Good Hart General Store
In the fall, when you're cruising down Northern Michigan’s iconic Tunnel of Trees near Lake Michigan, there's, just know there's another landmark in the area. Good Hart General Store, named after one of the towns located along M-119, stands as a timeless pit-stop for visitors from near and far. Sweet fruit pies, charming checkerboard floors and patriotic bunting out front. The place embodies Americana. - JW
High Noon General Store
Embodying the effortless cool of Santa Fe, High Noon sits comfortably at the intersection of timeless quality and modern eco-sustainability. All goods—carefully curated by founder and general-store-owning legacy Emily Warner—are fair trade, environmentally friendly, and full of local heart. Shop everyday luxuries: art, home goods, kitchen wares, clean beauty, clothing, jewelry, baby apparel and pantry items. Everything in this Pueblo-style staple reminds us that we belong to the earth, the earth does not belong to us. - WD
J Danforth Mercantile
If you find yourself in the too-often-slept-on—but certainly not sleepy—town of Maryville, Tennessee, do yourself a favor and pay the fine folks at J Danforth Mercantile a visit. This store—tucked between local favorites Capitol Theatre and Bella Italian Restaurant—wears its “Made In America” badge with pride. Nearly all of the goods, a variety of gifts, home decor, kitchenware, and small-batch treats, are locally made and loved. - WD
Laurel Mercantile Co.
College sweethearts turned HGTV Home Town stars, Ben and Erin Napier, have distilled the best of their beloved town into a single idyllic American mercantile. Laurel Mercantile imbues that good old-fashioned southern hospitality and made-in-country pride into every artisan cutting board, hand-poured candle and locally sourced scratch ingredient the store has to offer. Don’t forget to grab a bag of small-batch coffee from “Big Ben” on your way out. - WD
Mast General Store
Every creak and groan of this iconic store’s original wood paneling tells a story. More than 115 years of Valle Crucis local history's worth. The Front Room, once nothing more than a lean-to shed, used to be the town doctor’s office. The Shoe Room was once a feed room. The Knives Room was the potato-grading room, naturally. Today, we recommend a bag of local coffee beans and an ice-cold Cheerwine. -WD
McKenzie General Store & Obsidian Grill Restaurant
The perfect pit stop on your pilgrimage to any of the incredible Pacific Northwest National Forests, this locally-beloved institution sits right off of McKenzie Highway and alongside the river with the same name. Stop in for a hearty meal, local ale and some much-needed rest from the road by a roaring fire. - WD
Moniker General
Beyond the deceptively minimalist facade of this terracotta structure lies all things truly San Diego. Take a break from roaming the streets of the historic Liberty Station neighborhood to shop an exquisitely curated collection of everything from handmade ceramics to locally sourced apparel. On top of this, a café with house roasts, a craft cocktail bar, restaurant, and a space for regularly hosted community events. Feel free to make a night of it. - WD
Mr. Rudy’s Mercantile and More
If you find yourself cruising along Highway 183 up through the vastness of the American Heartland in Nebraska make sure to pull off in Sargent to experience the warmth of Mr. Rudy’s. In a town roughly the size of an inner-city elementary school—525 at last count—this place is as real as the real deal gets. Beyond all the usual mercantile must-haves (gifts, snacks, homegoods), the store also offers classes for Home Crisis Management Prep, crucial for hard winters in a town this small. Like we said, the real deal. - WD
OK Pantry
Located in the Kinderhook Knitting Mill, a renovated 19th-century textile factory housing restaurants, shops and other businesses mainly owned by women and people of color, OK pantry brings a contemporary take on the old-fashioned general to the Hudson Valley. From candy and lifestyle goodies to artisanal coffee and fresh-baked pastries, it’s a flavor-packed stop to satisfy those cravings. - JW
Over the Moon Fine Foods
Here’s the game plan. Pop into Over the Moon for the best charcuterie the town has to offer—gourmet meats and cheeses from local butchers/mongers—then walk the one block across the San Miguel to the Bear Creek Trailhead for a day hike with the perfect picnic. Snag some beer and wine for the night while you’re at it. - WD
The Paris Market
If the world is an oyster, there is perhaps no more elegant pearl than Savannah’s Paris Market. Francophiles Paula and Taras Danyluk first converted this 19th-century Victorian grocer into a restored old-world shop in 2001. Since then, they have expanded and refined their enchanting collection of unique pieces from all over the globe—both modern and antique—always with an eye toward the beloved City of Light. After browsing, take time to sit and people-watch at the attached café and bistro. Guaranteed to feel more like the Rue de Buci than Broughton St. - WD
The Sentinel
An artsy town near West Texas’ Big Bend National Park, Marfa is famous for its mysterious “Marfa Lights,” eclectic locals, and the iconic Prada art installation. It’s a unique haven for creatives and adventurers alike situated in the rural Chihuahua desert. Just steps from the town’s main street, The Sentinel’s white adobe building serves as a community spot for great coffee, top-notch foodstuffs and curated finds. A true renaissance business, this place also publishes an independent newspaper focused on community journalism. What’s not to love? - JW
Shaw General Store
When in Washington, get away from the mainland. Take the ferry to Shaw Island. Step off the boat, walk twenty paces (give or take) and find yourself in another world. This frozen-in-time beachside store offers enchanting views of the San Juan Islands, incredible local coffee, wine, sea salt and ice cream. Everything is good, yes. But what we love most about it, is that it's made and grown by the hands of the people who call this island home. - WD
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Slim's Frenchtown Mercantile
Fun fact: Paducah accompanies Casablanca and Rio de Janeiro on UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. It’s also home to the largest quilt museum in the world (over 650 of them). But the town offers more than folk art. One notable stop is Slim’s. Grab a treat and have a seat at the old-fashioned diner bar, or peruse goods including books, fragrances and knick-knacks that pay homage to the “Quilt City.” - JW
Smithville Coffee House & General Store
About an hour from Austin, Smithville cherishes itself as the shooting location for the 1998 romantic comedy “Hope Floats” starring Harry Connick Jr. and Sandra Bullock. Another pride came in 2006 when residents baked the World’s Largest Gingerbread Man, weighing 1,308 and one-half pounds. It’s a charming town, and this farmhouse-y general store fits right in. - JW
Tiny Grocer
In the heart of Austin’s delightfully down-to-earth Hyde Park neighborhood, sits the hidden-in-plain-sight hub, Tiny Grocer. Peruse the aisles for small batches, locally produced goods and order a gourmet sandwich from Tiny Delicatessen. -WD
Vinal General Store
Nestled in a sweet little corner of Union Square, Somerville—a bustling area that blends historic charm with modern vibrancy—lies the lovingly retro Vinal General Store (and Bakery, next door). A true community hub, New England locals gather here to grab a sandwich, have a friendly chat, browse unique local goods, and treat themselves to town-famous soft-serve ice cream. For true hometown flavor, snag a brew from Tandem Coffee and a homemade breakfast sandwich on a Vinal English Muffin. - WD
