The general store revival - Albany Times Union

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When Lia and Justine Post moved to Coxsackie from Brooklyn in 2015, they bought three historic brick buildings downtown. The twin sisters felt the lack of a “walkable community hub,” in Justine’s words, that also provided life’s necessities. So they opened Mansion + Reed General Store (45 Reed St.) in 2017 — and it turns out the rest of town felt the same way.

“People really responded to it,” Justine said. “They say, ‘We feel like a welcoming presence here.’ You can buy coffee, milk, eggs, penny sweets for your kids or a Mexican coke, and see a friendly face. We have the lights on and we’re here late.”

Last week, Mansion + Reed reopened after an 11-month renovation, doubling its size to add more seating, an extended counter for hanging out with a coffee and the paper, and more shelf space for groceries.

It’s just one of dozens of new general stores across the Hudson Valley and Catskills modernizing the historic concept and often playing a key role in a small town’s revival.

The draw away from, and back to, general stores

The family-run business is one of many general stores in the region that has reopened where a town’s original general store once stood. Half a century ago, Mansion + Reed was home to the Marion Store, which offered everything from dried and canned goods to bolts of fabric and shoes. It was a hub of the then-thriving community, but like so many general stores across the country, it went out of business as people turned to big box retailers for their needs, and the town>’s economy dwindled. But people’s shopping habits are again starting to change.

When Jon Westergreen opened Livingston Manor’s Main Street Farm (36 Main St.) in 2010, he didn’t think of it as a general store. He wanted to create better access to organic produce grown in the region. “By being responsive to customer needs, it blossomed into a general store,” he said.

Now, Main Street sells a range of local products from farms and food artisans, bulk goods like grains and oils, and gifts, as well as coffee, soups and sandwiches in the café — now the town’s main meeting spot.

For Westergreen, the renewed popularity of the general store concept is rooted in a shift in values. “Consumers are more conscious of where they’re spending their money now,” he said. “There are things they could buy cheaper elsewhere, but they choose to support what we’re doing. They’re also looking for an experience you can’t get at Target or Walmart.”

The shop local movement is certainly a key factor. A good general store has a positive, local trickle-down effect, too. As Westergreen said: “If I’m paying someone for their microgreens that lives here in town, they’re also paying someone, so that dollar recycles.”

“We have a coffee crew that comes in every morning,” said Hurleyville co-owner Denise Lombardi. “They make jokes and tease each other. It lifts my mood.”

Hurleyville General Store

While general stores were already in the ascendant before the pandemic, many storeowners said the pandemic lockdown saw demand for locally grown and sold groceries grow — especially with the influx of new homeowners and visitors to the region and a stretched-thin supply chain ferrying goods from afar — as well as the desire to connect. Just like its predecessor, the modern general store is more than just a shop; it’s also a community hub.

Husband-and-wife Denise and Rob Lombardi opened the Hurleyville General Store (238 Main St.) in 2019 to support economic and social opportunities for people with disabilities. They wanted a place where their son, RJ, who has autism, and Denise’s brother, Jack, who is hearing impaired, could work and be celebrated.

It started life as a gift shop, selling products from companies that employed adults with disabilities. But when the Hurleyville market shut down during the pandemic, the Lombardis pivoted.

“To have traffic coming into the store, we really need to focus on things which bring people in regularly, and gifts isn’t it,” Denise said. “We’ve learned completely by trial and error.”

Now they also offer groceries and specialty items with a focus on local producers and women and minority-led companies. The store’s café brings in the most customers, selling coffee, wraps, bagels, and more. But most of all, with its selection of seating, warm country kitchen environment, and friendly staff, the café is a place to hang out in the village. RJ comes into the store on the weekends, too, and is welcomed. “People here get it,” Denise said.

This sort of atmosphere is impossible to replicate at impersonal big box stores or sterile supermarket chains. In these post-pandemic times, people crave community and have placed renewed value on human connection.

“We have a coffee crew that comes in every morning,” Denise said. “They make jokes and tease each other. It lifts my mood. This morning when the gentlemen came in, they’re acting like 5th grade boys with their banter —it cracked me up. I didn’t realize how much I needed that connection as well.”

General stores in the Hudson Valley and Catskills

The Circle W store’s history as a general store spans 113 years.

Circle W Market

It’s been around since 1908, but after falling into disrepair, this market was saved and reimagined in 2009 by a local couple, Patti and Gary Harvey. Part café, part grocery, and beloved community meeting place, Circle W is now run by the next generation. 3328 NY-23A, Palenville, NY 12463; 518-678-3250

Those are not bolts of fabric, just beautiful wool throws at Hillsdale General Store, as well as store manage Paul Amash.

Hillsdale General Store

A reimagined old-timey store from 1855, HGS offers vintage and antique finds (they have especially gorgeous crockery and copper cookware), cooking classes, pantry items, and generally anything “useful and beautiful for country life.” The store on Oct. 16 celebrated its 10th anniversary. 2642 NY-23, Hillsdale, NY 12529; 518-325-3310

Roxbury General Store devotes much of its shelf space to locally made gifts.

Roxbury General Store

A purveyor of locally sourced and carefully curated merchandise, including seasonal clothes, home goods, and gifts, as well as pantry items. They also offer bike rental to explore the surrounding Catskills. 53587 NY-30, Roxbury, NY 12474; 607-326-6118

There has been a store at the site of Russell’s since 1823, the longest tenants being the Russell family, who operated a general store here for 81 years.

Russell’s General Store

Reopened under new ownership in May 2019, Russell’s acts both as town grocery and café, selling delicious homemade pies (both sweet and savory), sandwiches and more. There’s a long central table for communing. 2009 County Hwy 6, Bovina Center, NY 13740; 607-832-4242

"There are things [customers] could buy cheaper elsewhere, but they choose to support what we’re doing," says Main Street Farm owner Jon Westergreen. "They’re also looking for an experience you can’t get at Target or Walmart.” 

Main Street Farm

The market sells local produce, from Catskill Food Company sausages to wild caught smoked eel and Neversink greens. The café menu is created from the shop’s stock. With artisanal goods, books, gifts, and beer, the general store caters to locals and visitors alike. 36 Main St., Livingston Manor, NY 12758; 845-439-4309

Mansion + Reed General Store — Greene County

Mansion + Reed, run by sisters, is located in the same building where the town’s original general store once stood half a century ago.

Mansion + Reed

This general store and café recently reopened after an 11-month renovation and expansion. They specialize in locally produced goods, like meats, cheeses and craft beer and cider, as well as coffee and snacks. There’s also a guesthouse for rent upstairs. 45 Reed St, Coxsackie, NY 12051; 518-616-9701

A destination for coffee and light food (the chicken wraps are especially popular), as well as groceries and gifts — everything from organic eggs to puzzles. They specialize in carrying brands that employ disabled people and are committed to fostering a welcoming community for all. 238 Main St., Hurleyville, NY 12747; 845-707-8434

More tastes of the Hudson Valley

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