General store facts for kids
A general store is a special kind of shop, sometimes called a 'village shop' or 'general dealer'. These stores are usually found in countryside areas or small towns. They sell a little bit of almost everything!
Imagine a place where you can buy your daily milk and bread, but also things like tools for your home or farm. General stores offer a wide variety of items, from food to clothing and even things like nails or paint. They were often small, cozy places.
What is a General Store?
General stores were more than just shops. They were important meeting spots for people in the community. Neighbors would gather there to share news and chat. It was a place where everyone knew each other and could catch up on what was happening.
Why Were They Important?
In the past, general stores were super important because they were often the only place for miles around to buy supplies. People living in the countryside didn't have many options for shopping. These stores made sure everyone could get what they needed without traveling far. They were a lifeline for many communities.
General Stores Today
The idea of the general store is very old. While some still exist, there are far fewer of them now. This is because more people live in cities, a process called urbanization. Also, cities have grown outwards, which is known as urban sprawl.
Another big reason for their decline is the rise of big-box stores. These are huge shops, like large supermarkets or department stores, that sell a massive range of goods at lower prices. They made it harder for smaller general stores to compete. Even so, the few general stores that remain often have a special charm and history.
Images for kids
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Interior of a Moundville, Alabama, USA general store, 1936
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The former Narracan General Store, now located at Old Gippstown in Moe, Australia
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Woman buying from a colmado in the Dominican Republic
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General Store on the road to Kalash valleys, Chitral, Pakistan
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General store in Angelniemi, 1930.
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A village store (Sepon kauppa; or "Seppo's shop") in Yttilä, Säkylä, in August 2011. This particular store was closed in 2014.
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Tapri on Mumbai streets
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A Best-One corner shop in the United Kingdom, 2008
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Karch & Harper General Store in Fairplay, Colorado, late 1800s
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Fanciful drawing by Marguerite Martyn in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of October 21, 1906, headed "Passing of the Country Store in the Southwest"
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The Oldwick General Store in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
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Grays General Store (1788) in Adamsville, Rhode Island
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Country Store, Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx, early 20th century
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