63 Best Places to Shop in USA

Don't miss this charming little store in a old mansard-roofed structure. The upstairs once served as a community dance hall, and the original piano is still on the stage. Kids will delight in the array of "penny candy" as well as fun small toys. There are also kitchen utensils, candles, gifts, pretty cards, and books. At an outdoor window on the side of the building, you can order an ice-cream cone to enjoy on a walk down to the harbor.

If Gruene Hall is king of the town, the Gruene General Store is its queen. The building dates back to 1878, and the soda fountain is a 1950s throwback serving old-fashioned ice cream floats and homemade fudge. You can find all sorts of unusual Texas gifts here along with candy, pickles, honey butters, and jams. The store is open seven days a week.

It's worth a slight but pretty detour over the hill from Franconia to visit this rambling old village store and dairy that turns out legendarily rich, sharp aged cheddar, which is also available smoked and in port-and-cognac spreads. The venerable red-clapboard shop carries plenty of other foodie-pleasing products.

This is the original Mast General Store, built in 1882–83, with plank floors worn to a soft sheen and an active, old-timey post office. Everything from running shoes to nails-by-the-pound are sold here. You can take a shopping break by sipping bottled "dope" (mountain talk for a soda pop) or a cup of coffee for 5¢ while sitting in a rocking chair on the store's back porch. An annex dating to 1909 is just down the road and now houses most of the store's outdoor-oriented clothing. Mast General Store has expanded to 10 locations, but this one still has the most authentic atmosphere.

Opened around 1900, this is the only grocery store in town, and it's where most locals go to get caught up on the gossip. Nagley's is also where you can go to get a great cup of hot coffee, a scoop of ice cream, adult libations, and other standard trading post items. In addition, this is the former home of Stubbs the Cat, the town's mayor until his death, and workers are happy to tell you about the many store cats who came before and after him.

This shop and gourmet sandwich counter offers kitchenware, cookbooks, plush toys, and specialty foods, as well as wines, chocolates, teas, coffees, and scads of candy. Breakfast and lunch is served until 4 pm. Gift baskets can be shipped all over the country.  This shop is known for its pimento cheese. Take some to go, or have it spread on a BLT to enjoy at the tables outside or a pink banquette inside.

Pop into this beloved neighborhood grocery store in the heart of South Congress and browse thousands of hand-selected food and specialty items, from fresh produce and gourmet grab-and-go snacks to artisanal made-in-Austin gifts and travel-size essentials of luxury bath and body goods. It's a perfect place to refuel on a hot, sunny day thanks to an on-site deli with delicious, hot, made-to-order offerings. Don't ignore the ice-cold alcoholic beverages, such as their signature frosé, in which you can slip a straw and take right outside to keep SoCo shopping. A second location debuted in Hyde Park, just north of downtown, and boasts an on-site French bistro, Bureau de Poste, that is open for daily dinner service.

Since 1970, this Waimea landmark at Parker Square has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Although specialty kitchenware takes center stage, the shop brims with local gourmet items, books, kimonos, and Hawaiian gifts and souvenirs. 

Step back in time with a visit to Alley's General Store, a local landmark and gathering place since 1858, and the island's oldest retail business. Stock includes everything from groceries to gourmet cheeses, and toys for all ages, from stuffed animals for the kids to housewares for adults. Alley's is a treasure trove of the playful and practical items that define a country store. The coffee bar sells some of the best brew in town, and they offer a great selection of snacks for a beach day.

This funky general store and gas station, pronounced boh-dees, has been serving the region since 1919. It offers a thoughtfully curated array of quirky gifts, locally made arts and crafts, local beer and wine, household supplies, and fishing gear (including licenses), along with delicious breakfast burritos, green-chile stew, deli sandwiches, and other light fare.

The classiest hardware store in Austin, adjacent to the UT campus, doesn’t just stock a prism of paints and garden gadgets. It’s dedicated to home improvement in all regards. Browse the Waterford china, Simon Pearce dinnerware, and aisles upon aisles of designer kitchen tools and decor. It’s the go-to place for popular local cookbooks from the Tipsy Texan, Uchi, and Fonda San Miguel and a variety of other locally made art and gifts, like sweetly scented soaps and candles and swoon-worthy leather goods all made in Austin.

If you're an Anglophile or a Brit missing Merrie Old England, this is the shop for you. Among the many shelves of imported goods are proper teapots, lots of English teas, Branston pickle and other condiments, Lyle's golden syrup, biscuits, sweets, and preserves. You'll also find tartan scarves, knitted sweaters, tweed caps, single-malt glasses, pint glasses, jewelry, and calendars. 

Buy groceries, T-shirts, hats, books, postcards, and camping items that you might have left behind, as well as snacks, drinks, juices, and quick to-go meals at this handy variety store between Sunrise Point and North Campground. Picnic tables under pine trees offer a shady spot to dine al fresco.

This place is small, but it's stocked with the essentials for RV and auto travelers.

This small store is a convenient place to get gas and pick up snacks and camping supplies if you're arriving via Route 120.

You can pick up groceries and supplies at this bustling shop at the east end of the valley.

This contemporary take on the old-timey general store opened in 2022 and stocks an eclectic array of gourmet food, books, games, novelties, and canvas desert hats. It also sells household necessities including a lot of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and sustainable everyday items. In addition, it emphasizes local vendors and community involvement through collaborations and exhibits. While you're here, check out other occupants of Corner 62, a renovated retail complex, such as Scorpion Lollipop (candy/gifts), Pisces (swimwear), and The Moon and the Mat (yoga studio).

Dating to 1816, this 200-year-old general store is the oldest continuously operating country store in Vermont. It has great prepared dinners, a full deli, delicious homemade baked goods, and a big wine selection. It also sells interesting gifts.

The Dry Dock offers clothing, gifts, and accessories (many made of Deer Isle granite) and is described by owner Janet Chaytor as “a creative department store.” That may be overstating the size a tad, but it's understandable given the shop's penchant for hand-carved platters, funky (and locally forged) jewelry, and tote bags hailing images of the area. You won't leave uninspired.

The Fadden family, who have been making maple syrup for several generations, operates this inviting general store, sugarhouse, and maple museum that dates to 1896. Come in to buy syrup, souvenirs, and gourmet treats, or for a self-guided tour of the operations.

This general store takes its name from the custom framing business that launched them, but travelers are much more likely to pay them a visit for the vast array of cards, gifts, books, socks, stickers, vintage items, and Chicago-centric souvenirs they've curated. The original Lakeview location and the Andersonville location have both spawned standalone framing businesses, leaving the boutiques plenty of space to focus on fun products. 

For hardware, firewood, locally grown vegetables, deli sandwiches, pumpkins for Halloween, snowboard and ski rentals, gourmet birdseed, and just about anything else you need, Fred's General Mercantile—half general store and half boutique—is the place to go. At 5,046 feet, it's billed as the highest-elevation general store east of the Mississippi River.

Right at home in its beachy, bohemian Venice neighborhood, this well-curated shop is a decidedly contemporary take on the concept of general stores. The very definition of "California cool," General Store offers beauty and bath products loaded with organic natural ingredients, handmade ceramics, linen tea towels, and a spot-on selection of art books. Featuring an impressive number of local makers and designers, the boutique also sells modern, minimalist clothing and has a kids' section that will wow even the hippest moms and dads.

The sweet scent of lavender will draw you into this petite shop. Many of the products, including lotions and sachets, are made using lavender from the owner's farm in the nearby countryside. Also on offer are candles, soaps, pottery, Italian and French cosmetics, and locally made and European clothing.

This emporium is a longtime local favorite. Jewelry, candles, stylish clothing, shoes, toiletries, gifts, toys—you'll find all that and lots more here.

Calling itself "a general store for the 21st century," the Green Store stocks a wide variety of household items, clothing, cards, and many other products. Most of the goods in this inviting emporium come from organic sources and all emphasize sustainability and preservation of the environment. It's a great place to browse, and chances are you'll discover something you need, or didn't need but have to have.

Started in 1840 by William Williams, this expansive country store has been run by the same family for six generations. This is one of those places where you can buy maple syrup and ammo, while catching up on posted town announcements. There's a deli on-site for sandwiches; a farmers' market is held outside on Sunday in summer.

Here you can stock up on packaged food items (including some brands that lean a little more gourmet), drinks, personal care items, and some beach necessities. They also have a large selection of liquor and beer.