Virginia’s Most Interesting General Stores & Old-Fashioned Markets

You might not think of adding a general store to your trip itinerary, but Virginia's small towns are dotted with local shops that can provide a bite to eat, a sweet treat, or even some live music.

Whether you're exploring a new small town, cycling along one of Virginia's rails-to-trails, or setting out on a road trip, mark these Virginia general stores on your map. 

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

Floyd Country Store—Floyd

Head to Floyd Country Store in Southwest Virginia to experience an authentic general store that is over 100 years old. They serve up homemade country food, milkshakes, hand-dipped ice cream cones, and everything else you expect to find at a diner-style store — but the real reason the locals show up every week without fail is the Friday Night Jamboree, where local bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and country music bands play live in the store.

Burke’s Garden General Store—Tazewell

If you’re planning a trip to Burke’s Garden, often referred to as “God’s Thumbprint”, make sure you stop by Burke’s Garden General Store in Tazewell, which sells Amish-made baked goods, crafts, and handmade quilts. As you enter this small rural general store, you’re completely surrounded by rich wood, with flooring, beams, and shelves filling the quaint yet fully stocked space.

Order lunch and sit on the porch swing as you enjoy the peace and quiet of this enchanting community. The homemade cinnamon rolls, pies, and breads will likely beat anything found at your typical grocery store.  

BW Country Store—Wytheville

Located at Big Walker Lookout Tower high atop Big Walker Mountain on scenic Highway 52, BW Country Store carries goods and crafts made by artists and craftspeople from the Southwest Virginia region. Like any authentic general store, the shop stocks a wide selection of items, from kitchen wares to unique gifts.

There are many canned goods to add to your pantry, including locally made jams, jellies, and relishes. Treat yourself after the hike up the lookout tower with a sample their homemade fudge or ice cream. On the weekends from May to October, the country store hosts live music from local bands.

Poor Farmers Market—Meadows of Dan

Poor Farmers Market began as a roadside vegetable stand, selling produce recently harvested from the fields just down the road. After a few years, the owner decided to transform an old gas station into her new business home, adding hundreds of additional products in the process.

When you stop at Poor Farmers Market today, you can still purchase local produce, but you can also get items like fresh picked flowers, homemade baked goods, local honey, and homemade country store favorites like apple cider, jams, and jellies. They have a sandwich shop that serves up specialty subs and local favorites like pimento cheese and the rich sour cream pound cake. And of course your meal wouldn’t be complete without a cone of their hand dipped ice cream. After eating, pick up some souvenirs from the gift shop, such as their one-of-a-kind cast-iron wares.  
 

VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS

Paint Bank General Store—Paint Bank

You may expect hallmarks like old wooden floors or tin ceilings to appear inside a general store, but what about a working swinging bridge? Visitors come from all around to visit the wonderfully bizarre indoor landmark found at Paint Bank General Store. The shop stocks everything from groceries like farm-raised buffalo meats to unique gift items, and they even have a year-round Christmas shop section. If you enter hungry, grab a bite at the restaurant, located inside the store.

Sugar Tree Country Store—McDowell

Built in the 1800s in the mountain region known as “Virginia’s Little Switzerland,” Sugar Tree Country Store carries many old-fashioned country items like wooden toys and handcrafted goods, but their claim to fame is everything maple: Highland County maple syrup, maple-covered donuts, maple sugar candy...the list goes on and on.

The region is famous in Virginia for their booming maple industry, and the small country store stocks almost every item imaginable with the popular natural flavor. They also sell other locally sourced items like homemade apple butter and honey harvested from right down the road.  

More General Stores in the Virginia Mountains

• Mast General Store in Roanoke: Operating since 1883, this store is a must for sweet treats and outdoor gear (perfect for stocking up before hiking to the Mill Mountain Star). 

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Middlebrook Mercantile—Middlebrook

Middlebrook Mercantile was originally built in 1901, serving as a hub for the locals to get all their basic goods and supplies without having to travel far. Today, you may be able to use Interstate 81 to quickly reach much larger shops, but Middlebrook turned its focus to providing another hard-to-find quality: exceptional Virginia goods at reasonable prices.

You can pick up bottles of wine from a local vineyard, tasty baked goods without all the preservatives, and cute home items that weren’t shipped from a huge warehouse in another country. Need these items as a gift? The friendly staff will arrange a thoughtful customized gift basket with the goods you pick out. The store serves up a hot breakfast and an array of lunch items to-go, or if the day is chillier, grab a table inside beside the market’s old-fashioned furnace.  

More General Stores in the Shenandoah Valley

• Locke Store in Clarke County: Find this store in the historic village of Millwood and come hungry — the deli serves soup, sandwiches, cold prepared foods, featured items, and baked goods. 
• Layne’s Country Store in Glasgow: A convenient stop on the way to Virginia Safari Park or Natural Bridge State Park, this store has produce, flowers, country hams, jams, jellies, and homemade pies. 
• Bluemont General Store in Loudoun County: Decor, local meats and produce, deli offerings, homemade pies, and hand dipped ice cream are all on offer at this Bluemont store.

CENTRAL & SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

Yoder’s Country Market—Madison

Part store and part farm, Yoder’s Country Market is about 30 minutes north of Charlottesville. The shop has a deli with over 150 meats and cheese available. You can purchase your own deli items to take home or order one of their specialty sandwiches, wraps, or paninis. On a hot day, there are few things more refreshing than their hand dipped ice cream, available in more than a dozen flavors, and if you’re searching for organic or gluten-free, the shop has an extensive selection.

Once you finish browsing the shop, head out to the barnyard, where you can feed the goats and watch them cross the 15-foot-high skywalk. You might also spot turkeys, guineas, pheasants, and ducks.

Crossroads Store—North Garden

Crossroads Store sits just south of Charlottesville on Route 29 and has been around almost 200 years, originally opening in 1820. Nowadays, the country store operates as a one stop shop, with gas pumps and a deli that serves breakfast, lunch, and a limited menu of cold sandwiches all day long. If you have a sweet tooth, you need to stop in — they serve homemade fudge in as many as 15 flavors!    

More General Stores in Central and Southern Virginia

• Country Food & Furniture in Amelia: Powhatan's own Mennonite Grovery, in business since 2003 and serving speciality candies, breakfast all day, artisan items, and beautifully made furniture. 
• Route 1 Country Store in Dinwiddie: The freshly prepared baked items are a must at this deli and bakery. 
• Miller's Country Store in Farmville: Deli foods and tons of baked goods await you at this country store. 
• Midtown Market in Danville: This family-owned store has been supplying visitors with boxed lunches, meats, seasonal produce, and goods for over 70 years. 

COASTAL VIRGINIA & CHESAPEAKE BAY

Williamsburg General Store—Williamsburg

Although a little less genuine and a little more touristy, the Williamsburg General Store is still a fun stop for those that love classic old-fashioned markets. The selection of knick-knacks and toys will keep kids entertained as they browse the aisles of wacky gifts. The exterior of the shop looks brand new, but the interior maintains an old timey feel, with exposed wood beams and hardwood floors.

Snag a few souvenirs, local foods, clothing and gear, or even home goods and decor at the campy shop, and after perusing the selection, stick around in the evenings for live music performances put on by local musicians and bands.  

More General Stores in Coastal Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay

• Darden's Country Store in Smithfield: In operation since 1951, stock up on exceptional smoked Smithfield Ham and homemade sausage. 
• Westmoreland Mercantile General Store in Montross: An early 20th century general store recreated by the Westmoreland County Museum, this store is part-exhibition, part-store.
• Nuttall's Store in Gloucester: Find gifts, groceries, quick eats, and craft beverages at this longtime local store. 

Take a trip to one of these old-fashioned Virginia general stores and travel back to a simpler, less hectic time, where the food is fresh and the goods are crafted with care locally. 

Want more unique Virginia shopping experiences? Explore the best antiquing towns in Virginia or discover the state's most iconic shopping districts.