Many of the articles you see in our 1900s General Store were actually in use during that time. The heavy front door came from Nelson’s Meat Market located years ago on Main Street here in Greenville. The big counter is likely from the same source.

After viewing the window display, families were enticed into the General Store, which was always piled high with items on shelves, counters, floor and often even hanging from the ceiling. Few spaces were left empty. The 20-gallon earthen crocks on the floor were for holding pickles, salt pork, sauerkraut and other bulk items that added to the distinct aroma familiar in many country stores … a blend of ripe cheese, produce, cured meat, leather, tobacco smoke and freshly ground coffee beans, like from the red coffee grinder at the end of the counter.

Entering the store with anticipation, everyone looked with longing at the selections. The children with eager smiles pressed against the candy displays featuring licorice, fruit jells and hard candy. Boys eyed harmonicas and ball gloves while little girls dreamed of china dolls and tea sets. Mom and Dad were more practical, eyeing new tools or glassware, but in the end, they would leave with only what they needed, like flour, salt, coffee, nails, needles and thread – and if the children were lucky, one piece of penny candy each.

The museum is proud to display an original Meijer shopping cart. The store originally supplied baskets for shoppers to use ON the carts and to carry their items home, but unfortunately, the baskets didn’t always come back to the store. Eventually customers had to bring their own baskets to put on the cart and to carry home their purchases. Farmers could purchase items on credit—sometimes up to a year in advance—until they harvested their crops and settled their accounts. Others could barter for goods or bring in eggs, meat and the like for credit in the future. All transactions were recorded by hand on the store’s ledger. General stores in the 1800s were not just the place to shop, but often served as a town center. Going to the general store was a chance to socialize with other families and catch up on the latest news.