Missouri’s Most Charming General Store is a Time Portal

Thinking back, I did spend frequent a general store type place growing up in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Whistle Stop in Glen Carbon was the closest place to our house that had basic goods; bread, milk, cereal etc. It had a second floor for gifts and crafts, you could also get your hair cut there -and I did for years-.

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When I got my first apartment, I recall a neighborhood general store within a few blocks that was a more traditional type place. Food staples primarily, with some special treats mixed in (like old school candy). Both of these instances make me sound really old, and these places were active in the 20^th century and aren’t anymore.

Neighborhood General Stores were once an American Staple

General stores do still have a place in America. They can still serve their original purpose, making basics available to those within close proximity, but in many cases American General stores are nostalgia stops, with sweet treats and vintage toys and games. The more charming the better.

General Stores have mostly evolved into Convenience Stores

lovefood.com put together a list of the most charming general store from every state, and in Missouri the most charming General store is in Caledonia on Main Street. North of Elephant Rocks State Park and south of Potosi stands the Old Village Mercantile, loaded with treats like Amish fudge, donuts, ice cream, coffee and antiques.

Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia, Mo.

Grab some charm overload and imagine yourself rolling in for licorice whips and a root beer float like it was last century. Yes, they do have a second level there. Should stop in and ask for a haircut?