Mast General Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mast General Store
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Valle Crucis, North Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001383 |
| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1973 |
The Mast General Store is a super cool old-fashioned store in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. It's like stepping back in time! This store is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's known as one of the best examples of an old-time general store still around.
This store is still a big part of the community. It even has the local post office inside! You can grab a cup of coffee for just 5 cents, using an honor system. On chilly days, you can sit by a big wood stove. People often share stories or play checkers there.
The Mast General Store keeps its old traditions alive. It sells things local people need, plus fun items for visitors. Today, there are nine Mast General Store locations. The original store and its annex are both in Valle Crucis. You can find all sorts of things there. They sell old-time home goods, outdoor clothes, shoes, and work gear. They also have old-fashioned wind-up toys, local books and music, honey, and over 500 kinds of old-fashioned candy!
History of the Mast General Store
The building that became the Mast General Store was built in 1882. It first opened its doors in 1883. A man named Henry Taylor built it.
Early Ownership and Name Changes
In 1897, W.W. Mast bought half of the store. The store's name then changed to "Taylor and Mast General Store." Later, in 1913, Mast bought the rest of Taylor's share. From then on, it was known simply as the Mast General Store.
The Mast family owned the business for three generations. They kept it going until 1973. At that time, it was sold to a doctor from Atlanta and a professor from Appalachian State University.
Reopening and Growth
The store closed down in 1977. But don't worry, it didn't stay closed for long! In 1980, John and Faye Cooper bought it and reopened it. In 1996, the company became employee-owned. This means the people who work there also own a part of the business.
The Mast General Store started opening new locations in other towns. The first one outside Valle Crucis opened in Boone in 1988. More stores followed in North Carolina. A store opened in Waynesville in 1991. Then came Hendersonville in 1995, and Asheville in 1999.
The first store outside North Carolina opened in Greenville, South Carolina in 2003. A store in Knoxville, Tennessee opened in 2006. The ninth Mast General Store opened in Columbia, South Carolina in 2011. The tenth and newest store opened in Winston-Salem in 2015.
Historical Recognition and Awards
The original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis is very special. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1973. This list includes important places in American history.
North Carolina has also recognized the valley where the store is located. It's known as the first Rural Historic District in the state. This means the whole area has a special historical value.
In 1998, the store won the L. Vincent Lowe, Jr. Business Award. This award comes from Preservation North Carolina. It's given to businesses that work hard to protect and promote historical places in North Carolina. The Mast General Store is part of the Valle Crucis Historic District.
Using Green Power
The Mast General Store cares about the environment. In 2006, they decided to buy "Green Energy". This means they get their electricity from sources that don't harm the planet. They committed to buying 3.6 million kilowatt-hours of green energy each year.
If they used traditional energy sources, it would create a lot of carbon dioxide. This gas contributes to climate change. By choosing green energy, they avoid releasing 750,000 pounds of carbon dioxide! This effort was part of a campaign by NCGreenPower. It helps expand the use of clean, renewable energy in North Carolina.
