topic Country Store in Community Chat

Country Store

On It — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:27:50 GMT

I used that term a few minutes ago in response to a post. What I meant by a country store was a small store in a rural area. These little stores were dotted throughout our farming communities. They stocked non perishables, bread, and milk. The one next to my grandparents had bologna, cheese, and some other items they would slice for folks to use to make sandwiches. There was no fresh meat or produce, but they had frozen ice cream bars.

In addition to food items, they had work gloves, socks, etc. that might be needed by farmers or their employees. My favorite thing was the candy counter. I would buy a cylindrical cardboard container of peanuts. Sometimes it had a nickel inside which meant it was free.

Farming was hot, tiring work back then before machinery was built to do the tasks. The people working on the farms would go to the store for a well-deserved break where they would buy a Coke (soft drink) or maybe an ice cream bar and sit on the bench in front of the store to rest a few minutes. I miss those summer afternoon visits.

Today that store is vacant and in need of repair. More comfortable cars, better roads, and air conditioned vehicles mean people are willing to drive 20 minutes to the nearest small town.

Re: Country Store

vermint — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:30:55 GMT

We have a store like that near us...also abandoned, though it was open when we moved out here in 1975. At that time it was a very rickety wooden building with a front porch. A few years later they built a brick building. They also sold gas.

When the owners died, the place closed down.

Re: Country Store

beckyb1012 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:40:33 GMT

In 1981 when my husband and I married and moved into our home out in the country there was a little store a couple of miles away at a four way stop sign. Below is a part of the very small description of that little part of Texas.

"------ville was inhabited by 1846, and the community was formed in 1850. A post office opened in ------ville in 1900 and closed by 1936. The population of ------ville was 150 in 2000.[3]

Currently, the community consists of a coffee shop and a Dollar General."

Around 1995 the owners bought a pizza oven and we were so excited I only bought one it was not the same as a pizza from the City. But I bought most of my gas there for 20 years.

Re: Country Store

On It — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:55:40 GMT

I forgot about the gas. I guess it wasn't as exciting as the inside of the store.

Re: Country Store

Carmie — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:01:55 GMT

There are a couple of country type store near where I live. People use them to grab something quick....bread,milk,cereal...or get some snacks.

There is one on the way to our summer place that is exceptionally nice. They even serve sandwiches and lite food choices to go and have picnic tables out back.

Once when I was stopped at a red light across from the store, a group of young male Amish teens were walking to the store around lunchtime. They crossed the street in front of my car.

I had my grandkids in the back seat and one of my granddaughters said to the other. "Omg, those boys are so hot!"

I laughed my butt off. Now, everytime I drive past that store, I look for the hot Amish boys and if my granddaughters are with me, I remind them to look too.

Re: Country Store

RedTop — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:14:07 GMT

There was a little country store in my grandparents neighborhood in the 60's; less than 1/4 mile from their house. My brothers and I made at least 2 trips there every Saturday for candy and pop.

While we were mainly interested in the candy counter and pop cooler, I do remember a free standing bread rack for Sunbeam bread, buns, and pastries. They sold a lot of bologna and cheese by the pound, cigarettes and regular grade gas. If you saw 4 cars parked in front, the store was packed!

On Saturday nights they hosted a neighborhood shooting match. My Dad participated often and was a frequent top shooter of the night, winning the top cash prize of $50 for first place, but we were thrilled if he won second place of $25 and the big roll of bologna!

Re: Country Store

Danky2 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:18:41 GMT

My winter place is across from the Vermont Country Store........not exactly what you had in mind !

Re: Country Store

On It — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:27:40 GMT

@Danky2 wrote:
My winter place is across from the Vermont Country Store........not exactly what you had in mind !

Not exactly what I was describing, but I do shop online at that store. They have some classic items I can find nowhere else.

Re: Country Store

beckyb1012 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:30:36 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
There are a couple of country type store near where I live. People use them to grab something quick....bread,milk,cereal...or get some snacks.

There is one on the way to our summer place that is exceptionally nice. They even serve sandwiches and lite food choices to go and have picnic tables out back.

Once when I was stopped at a red light across from the store, a group of young male Amish teens were walking to the store around lunchtime. They crossed the street in front of my car.

I had my grandkids in the back seat and one of my granddaughters said to the other. "Omg, those boys are so hot!"

I laughed my butt off. Now, everytime I drive past that store, I look for the hot Amish boys and if my granddaughters are with me, I remind them to look too.

Me too, that is too funny. I can picture the whole scene in my head!!

Re: Country Store

On It — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:35:33 GMT

@RedTop Your store sounds like our store. For some reason, I just remembered the owners of that country store had the first television in our community. A lot of the farm families went to their home one evening when the first local broadcast aired. They had a large outside antenna to pull in the black and white signal. I remember thinking I do not know what is exciting about this. Little did I know!

Re: Country Store

Jo1313 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:42:46 GMT

As I said in another thread..My parents owned a candy store/soda fountain store(50's and 60's)

..They also had some school supplies, band-aids, etc...Lots of things kids needed on their way to school or play..and of course the most important..the metal skake key for a nickel!

Re: Country Store

Kachina624 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:20:02 GMT

@On It. I know exactly the store to which you refer. There was one in the small Arkansas town where my dh's family lived.

I once spent a del8ghtful couple of hours there poking around through some extraordinary merchandise. My best finds were some large, gray glazed ceramic vases for $3., which are perfect for flower arrangements. I later learned they are for use on graves. I still use them.

Oh, and all those stores have old wooden screen doors and may not be air conditioned but have 12 ft ceilings and big ceiling fans.

Re: Country Store

On It — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:36:20 GMT

@Kachina624 This is an experiment. I got a notification that you had mentioned me. I cannot see your post. Someone said that second page will open if I reply to a post. Here goes!

It worked! The second page opened and I saw the two latest posts.

Re: Country Store

Kachina624 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:37:05 GMT

@On It. My post is right above the one you just sent me. Honest.

Re: Country Store

On It — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:40:22 GMT

@Kachina624 I read it. It is just that the second page will not open for some reason unless the OP on some posts sends a reply. Then it opens.

Re: Country Store

Enufstuff — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 02:29:03 GMT

@Danky2 I love Vermont Country Store. I love Vermont.

Over the years, I have shopped at both of their locations, now I mostly shop from the catalog.

You are so fortunate to have a home in such a lovely place, with such great shopping nearby.

Re: Country Store

Danky2 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 02:42:44 GMT

@Enufstuff wrote:
@Danky2 I love Vermont Country Store. I love Vermont.
Over the years, I have shopped at both of their locations, now I mostly shop from the catalog.

You are so fortunate to have a home in such a lovely place, with such great shopping nearby.

@Enufstuff .........my DH insisted we bought it 50 years ago ......I love it and the state.

I go to Rockingham ,on my way to Rutland ,when we need "stuff".

I live in NJ but ,thanks to my grandparents, spend summers at Watch Hill, RI....

that is beautiful too but in a different way.

You are right.....I am very fortunate.

Re: Country Store

Enufstuff — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 03:17:30 GMT

@On It @Kachina624 @Danky2 @Carmie@Red Top @Citrine1

Here is a poem that I wrote years ago and it was published along with some others that I wrote. My inspiration was a Country Store in Moultonboro, New Hampshire, that we often visited when I was a child.

Country Store

It seems like only yesterday,

although I know it's more.

I used to stop and visit,

at Grampa's country store.

Still clear in my aging memory,

are smells and sights and sounds.

The pungent aromas of ginger and mace,

and cinnamon freshly ground.

Above the barrels of pickles and crackers,

were bolts and bolts in rows

of delicate voile and chintz,

and bright floral calicos.

The pot bellied stove in the center of the room,

was where I warmed my hands.

The crackling fire gave a warm glow,

reflecting off pots and pans.

A low buzz came from the back of the store,

from behind the country-aged cheese,

near the honey pots where grandpa kept

a glass cased hive of honey bees.

I remember hearing the register ring.

The money dropped in would jingle.

Whenever a customer entered the store,

the bell on the door would tinkle.

The candy case was my favorite spot.

I would press my nose to the glass.

Grandpa knew what was on my mind,

"Would you like a barley stick?", he'd ask.

Re: Country Store

Citrine1 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 03:13:57 GMT

What a sweet poem @Enufstuff . Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Rhyming poetry is my favorite! Reading your poem made me feel like I was there, bringing the sights and sounds to the front of my mind.

Re: Country Store

on the bay — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 03:18:26 GMT

@Enufstuff,

That is a beautiful poem!

It reminded me of the country stores I've visited. So many details you included I remember and felt them again.