Once upon a time, a trip to the local general store was more than just a chore. It was an anticipated experience for everyone in the family, and a break from the everyday routine.
As a community hub, the general store was where neighbors caught up with one another. Kids played and enjoyed penny candy. A young romance may have been kindled, while older folks picked up on a debate from a previous meeting or discussed the impact of the latest weather pattern…Again!
For a moment, at least, the pressures of the day were checked at the door. Time stood still as one’s senses were stimulated by the surroundings, the goods, and the people.
Grocery stores and department stores largely replaced the general store. Today, of course, anything you could possibly need is just a click away…except for that feeling of community and the sense of being a part of something bigger.
