When I was writing up my goals for 2022, one of the things I wanted to make sure we {okay, I} do this year is GET OUT OF THE HOUSE more. 🙂
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a happy hermit… sitting at home, working on craft projects, tending the garden and baking pies. And really, if it were up to me I’d probably live on an island waaaaay off the coast and only leave once or twice a year to buy rations.
But, the HH needs to do things like roam the aisles of Home Depot and have a little more human interaction to get through his days.
So I thought one of the things we might do this year is hop in the car a bit more and do some exploring. And then when I came across the book New England’s General Stores online last month, I decided to buy a copy {used, off Ebay for $4} and start planning some outings.
But the funny thing was… We had already been to several of the General Stores that were in the book and ALL the ones that were in Maine.
- JJ Hapgood
- The Brick Store
- Hussey’s General Store
- Dan and Whit’s
- Zeb’s General Store
- Harrisville General Store
- H.B. Provisions
- The Good Life Market
- The Island Market
- Hungry Hollow Country Store
- Owl’s Head General Store
- Sheepscot General Store
- The Vermont Country Store
So I did a little more digging.
And found the Hope General Store in the town of Hope, Maine. And it was lovely.
Not only is the Hope General Store close to the Camden Snow Bowl {where the Girl and I plan to try out their toboggan chute later this winter} but it had everything you’d expect to find in a small town general store.
The {incredibly} fresh produce in the refrigerated case was a surprise and the fact that they sold my favorite brand of grape soda was also pretty amazing as well.
The population of Hope, Maine is only about 1,500 and I can only imagine that the store is a bit of a hot spot for locals and summer people.
There were baked goods and hot pizza, and you can even order subs and salads and take them to go, or enjoy them in the little seating area off to the side of the deli counter.
And there are movie rentals too!
Remember when grocery stores used to carry movies? When I was a kid our local Safeway store back in Washington used to rent VHS tapes for $0.99 on the weekends and I swear I must have rented the movie Tuff Turf at least a couple dozen times when I was in middle school.
Movie rentals… talk about a good money maker!
And check out the town post office at the back of the store.
Yep. That’s it. A few P.O. boxes and some supplies.
I should have asked where you buy stamps, or mail a package {maybe the lady at the deli counter handles that too?}.
Small town general stores, you just can’t beat them.
Seriously, what more do you need other than some milk, a place to mail a letter and a meatball sub?
Have I told you how much I love it here? 😉
Maine. The way life should be.
~Mavis
Hope General Store
449 Camden Rd
Hope, ME 04847
Christie says
So fun! I love your General Store series!
Angela D. says
Me, too! I’m giving serious consideration to leaving Wisconsin for Maine when my husband retires!
Bettina says
New England. I could retire to New England. I love everything about it.
Terri S. says
I’m trying to convince my son to move to Maine in a couple years. I’ve visited it and loved it. It’s a beautiful state and everyone was so helpful and nice.
tia in boise says
great. thanks. now i “need” a meatbull sub. those look INCREDIBLE!
Damon says
Thanks for the great write-up. So glad you enjoyed our store! Come back again!
Nancy says
Yup!
I live here in Hope, ME…and we are SO very lucky to have HGStore‼️
It is all you described,
and more
thanks to amazing owners ✨
and staff
Diane Dodge says
Try the Alna General Store for GREAT Mexican food, sandwiches, and natural cut fries. Not as much merchandise as a lot of General Stores, but the food is really outstanding. The owners are super nice and the tables and decor inside are cozy. North of Wiscasset, beautiful drive. Thank you for turning us on to so many great spots!
Dianne says
I was very surprised to see cigarettes for sale at the General Store. I don’t think I have ever seen that before? Maybe because they don’t have a grocer or gas station near by?
Ashley Bananas says
It’s just a matter of having a license to sell them and the stores discretion to do so. It seems normal to me…
Angela Read says
Not sure if you’re aware of it or not, but Washington General store in Washington Maine is quite a treat. Featuring lots of local artisans and amazing food! Their Reubens are second to none, grab a containers of Morse’s ‘Aunt Lydia’s pickled beet slaw’, one of WGS’s fresh molasses cookies and take a seat in their eat in area – if you’re lucky you may be entertained by a local musician strumming away..
Holly says
Love WGS!
Jenny says
I bet you mean that you CAN’T beat them! I love general stores and try to stop and buy something at every one I can. I’m here in the Midwest and there are fewer these days, but they are a treasure!
Jules says
Do we even have general stores in the PNW? Maybe that will be one of my goals this year, to find a good one out here
Sherry says
Mavis, I do so enjoy living vicariously through your adventures! You often make the “grateful for” entry in my journal. Please keep up the good work!