Robie's Country Store facts for kids
|
Robie's Country Store
|
|
 |
|
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 9 Riverside St., Hooksett, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Boomtown commercial |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001038 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | August 31, 2000 |
Robie's Country Store is a very old and special shop in Hooksett, New Hampshire. It was a general store, selling all sorts of things, for a very long time. From 1822 until 1997, it was open almost every day! The Robie family owned it for 110 years, which is why it has their name.
The building you see today was built in 1906 after a fire. It has a unique front called a "boomtown" facade. This store is also famous because many people running for president have stopped by since the 1950s. Robie's Country Store is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, a group that cares about history owns it, and the store is still open for business.
Contents
What Does Robie's Store Look Like?
Robie's Country Store is in the middle of Hooksett village. It's near the Merrimack River and a railroad track. The building is made of wood and has one and a half stories.
The front of the store is very interesting. It has a tall, flat front that hides the roof behind it. This style is called a "boomtown" facade. It looks like a bigger, fancier building than it really is. The front also has fancy details, like decorative columns and a detailed top edge.
A Long History of Robie's Store
A general store first opened here in 1822. That was the same year Hooksett became a town! The store did very well because of its great location. It was close to roads and the river. Later, it was also near textile factories and the railroad.
In the early days, the store had a dock. Boats on the river would bring goods right to the store. This continued until the railroad arrived in 1842.
Fires and Rebuilding
The first store building burned down in 1857. It was rebuilt, but then it burned down again in 1906. Each time, the store was rebuilt quickly. The current building is the one from 1906.
The Robie Family and the Post Office
George A. Robie bought the store in 1887. For over 100 years, it stayed in the Robie family. Sons took over from their fathers. The store sold food and supplies to the people of Hooksett. It also served as the town's post office for many years. Even today, there are still some mailboxes inside the store for a few customers.
A Stop for Presidential Candidates
Robie's Country Store became a popular spot for people running for president. Since the 1950s, many candidates have visited the store. They come to meet people and talk about their ideas. This makes the store a special part of American political history.
The Store Today
After Lloyd Robie retired in 1997, a group called the Robie's Country Store Preservation Corp. bought the building. This group works to keep the store and its history safe. The store is still open and run by a business that leases the space. It continues to be a beloved part of Hooksett.
