Every community had one. A small independent general merchandise store where you could purchase anything from hardware to a dozen eggs.
In addition, the local post office was often located inside, along with a few chairs for just sitting, having a cold soda, and chatting about local events.
And if by chance the store didn't stock the merchandise you needed, it could be ordered from one of the plethora of catalogs and delivered by mail in a few days. Other than church, there was mo other place in the community that was so centrally significant to small town life.
Here's a collection of some of the old buildings as they now appear in the twenty-first century. Although they are slowly deteriorating, they still serve as a reminder to a much simpler time!
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
I love the old country stores - some had great wood counters and the old slots where mail was sorted. Later in life, some of these became the local gas station. Great photos...
My grandmother used to call them 'the ice house'. I don't know if that was common but we all knew what she meant.
I cannot resist snapping photos of old buildings. Loved the shots.
Great photos. It's always interesting to see how times have changed. We've got our fair share of those in both both Kansas and Missouri.
Ryan...
Thanks, I was trying to come up with a theme and this one jumped out at me!
Mel...
I don't think that I have ever heard them called that ... very interesting!
Judi...
They maker great photo subjects, that's for sure!
oh man i love old general stores -I'll have to dig up some of mine - love them!
I called my mother. It was the 'ice house' because that is where you got ice. Makes sense, eh?
Hmmmm, those don't appear to be in business anymore. General Stores are still common in Hawaii and some look about the same as those pictures. We need them!
Now I want an ice cold coke.....from the bottle......and NOT from Mexico (they taste different).
Richard, what wonderful memories this post evokes - of Paducah, Kentucky while visiting the grandmother of a friend, of the "candy store" which was along my route to grade school in Bedford, Inidia, to the "muskrat" signs in front of the store in Odessa, Delaware (in season, of course) - and now, we have "convenience" stores. Thanks for the great photos and trip down memory lane.
Richard, what wonderful memories this post evokes - of Paducah, Kentucky while visiting the grandmother of a friend, of the "candy store" which was along my route to grade school in Bedford, Inidia, to the "muskrat" signs in front of the store in Odessa, Delaware (in season, of course) - and now, we have "convenience" stores. Thanks for the great photos and trip down memory lane.
It's a shame to see history deteriorate, to bad they are not being preserved. At least you have photos of them, because in a few years they will be gone.
Hi Richard:
Neat photos...
The third photo reminded me of a store, in one of our historic towns in northern NJ, where I grew up.
Oh, my goodness, what awesome memories these photos provoke...it makes me think of ice cold Coke in little glass bottles, penny candy and ice cream sandwiches. Very nice photos...I especially like the one with the Coke logo on the side...
Richard,
Wouldn't it be great if these old buildings were renovated instead of just let them die a slow and painful death. Or is it time to just move on and forget about the past?
Richard - I enjoy the old buildings, that is part of the adventure of traveling the backroads. You get a glimpse of history that you never can get from the interstate.
Justin...
They were an important part of history in the Midwest, that's for sure. Thanks for the comment.
Liz...
Well what are you waiting for? ;)
Mel...
That seems like a logical explanation ... thanks!
Richard...
There are still many in operation here, but they are failing as soon as a "convenience" store moves in. I just like the abandoned ones. Thanks.
Mandi...
I guess it's the water??? I haven't had a Coke from a glass bottle in a long time.
Janice...
Do you mean the "penny" candy store ... oh my goodness, what you could buy with a dime! ;)
I love traveling past these old buildings. The south is full of so much nostalgia for me. As a kid we would drive 3 times a year to FL for the visit to the grandparents. A lot of those trips were down old Rt 301 before 95 was compleed. Oh am I dating myself now??? Have a great weekend Richard.
Christopher...
We can't stop that ravages of time, can we? THX
Toula...
I wonder how they fit all of that stuff into such a small building?
Susan...
I was a Popsicle fan myself, a good cold treat for a nickel! THX
Brother Richard - Great photos as always. I love old buildings like these. When I was a kid there was an old house nestled in the woods that we used to go explore (probably not the best idea considering we were far from home and the building was literally falling apart, but we were kids and rational thinking wasn't our strong suit). I remember finding newspapers from the 1940s in them and thinking I was a junior archaeologist. I saw Melody mentioned "ice house" - I know that's a very Texas-term. I don't know if they use it elsewhere, but here you hear it a lot and they still exist (they're more road side BBQ/beer stands now).
Richard...it's things like this that will be lost forever, and only remembered in great awesome pictures like yours!
I wish more people would try and rescue these buildings, and restore them to some good use. I suppose the expense is to great, but it sure would be great!
Richard: I love your photo essays. You really are quite an artist with that camera of yours. You should make these into postcards or thank you notes.
Richard,
The general store, the barber shop - town centers is what they were. Great to remember them. :)
Steve
I love these old buildings, I only know of one still standing near here, I'll have to take a picture of it one day to share.
Hi Richard, living outside of Charlotte, there are a few of these old stores alongside some of our back roads. I love the history they reflect.
I love the photos. Here in NJ along some of the further out Pinelands roadways, we have the old service stations with the one lane covered area out front. I love those!
Richard...it is a sample of simpler times gone by. Many say they were happier time although very hard times!