General Stores

This passage is about the role general stores have played in American history.

Lexile Level: 630L

Categories: History

Where did people shop before there were grocery stores, department stores, and malls? They visited general stores. These were usually located in rural areas. General stores were the only stores around. People were so spread out that they needed to get everything in one place. Essential food such as bread and canned goods were available. Barrels and sacks held rice and flour. Glass jars of hard candy and licorice tempted kids. Bicycles and saddles hung from the ceiling. Shelves displayed tools like saws and hammers. General stores also sold clothing for all ages. Or you could order clothes from a catalog and pick them up later. You could even find eyeglasses and bear traps! They sold everything. Farmers would get their supplies there. Rural towns would build themselves around the general store.