America's Oldest General Store Closes - as part of the news series by GeoBeats.
Giant supermarkets, multi-level malls; they make everyone happy right? Well that’s not the case for shoppers who prefer old-fashioned mom and pop stores. This week marked a sad day for a general store in Rhode Island. Opened 224 years ago in 1788, Gray's Store is said to be the oldest continuously run general store in the country. The business permanently closed its doors over this past weekend, operating for six generations in the Waite family.
21-year-old, Jonah Waite was next in line to run the Little Compton store after his father passed away last month. He says: “Obviously, I understand the historical aspect of it, and I would really love to keep it the way it is, but it doesn't seem to me that that's the most feasible option. With the economy ... the place has lost its attraction, lost its luster.” The shop sold cigars, penny candy, grocery items and collectibles, but the sentimental store couldn’t financially compete with the local, larger retailers. When the announcement of the closing was made public, the shop encountered 10 times as many customers as it usually does; many patrons coming to say goodbye.
