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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,050
Registered: ‎03-15-2021

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.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,126
Registered: ‎04-05-2010

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,393
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,050
Registered: ‎03-15-2021

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

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,580
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,347
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

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!  

Valued Contributor
Posts: 911
Registered: ‎08-15-2022

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

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,050
Registered: ‎03-15-2021

@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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,393
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@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!!  

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,050
Registered: ‎03-15-2021

@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!