There has been a general store on this site since 1841, and it has included a post office since 1851. The present owners took possession in 2011, and since then it has served as a community hub for coffee, mail, general supplies, a small library, and ice cream in summer.
However, the ownership of the building has passed on after the death of the previous owner, and they have given the store owners notice. In fact, as of yesterday, the place is closed.
I am not sure what the plan is for this building. Do they prefer it to sit vacant, or do they have a new purpose in mind? Time will tell.
I've often wanted to poke my nose inside but never got around to it. However, as we passed through Ashton this past week, I couldn't resist making a stop.
Of course, I had to snap a few photos, which I attempted to give a somewhat old feel in post processing.
Bonus Afterthoughts
Here is the place from the outside, at least a side view. I don't know why I didn't take a frontal shot, but I think I have done so in the past. Sue and Danica have just exited. The sign says, Est 1851, but other info I cam across said 1841 and post office since 1851. It's a long tradition either way.
And just across the street, something very different.
Sad to lose such a wonderful link to the past. It looked like an old community store I remember.
ReplyDeleteMakes me cry
ReplyDeleteThis is almost vandalism. There ought to be petitions and demonstrations.
ReplyDeleteAwww--I love stores with the kind of interior this lovely old place has...or now had.
ReplyDeleteSuch a loss. We humans are so short-sighted. Such places are treasures. If only someone else could take it over.
Changes. The older we get the more we actually understand the beginning, middle and end.
ReplyDeleteawww. so sad.
ReplyDeleteSo charming -- about forty years ago we had a local store/post office very much like that. And with the old guys in overalls sitting around the heat stove swapping lies. Gentler, slower times,
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather HAB Montgomery owned and ran the store in the 30s. They lived upstairs. My mom was born there. I'm so very sad to see the store close and only hope it stays standing.
ReplyDeleteI just hope they won't put in one of those chains that sells the same thing all over the place. It looks like such a nice place!
ReplyDeleteHow sad. If only those beautiful tall walls could talk :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this great story.
Love that last photo.
Sad to see the demise of the old country store, and all the social structure that went with it. I'm glad you got in to capture some images of how it was. Beautiful photography, and having your family in the pictures for human focus makes it even better.
ReplyDeleteyour photos are so much better than mine! I'm glad you visited.
ReplyDeleteI had never been there. Drat. Love the photo of Cuppa browsing. You get the light just right.
ReplyDeleteOh how sad! Just don't like things closing and changing...sad. All that history...
ReplyDeletehughugs
I like the Chevy. LOL Can the owners just close the store as it is a post office too. I don't think they can. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteyou captured the space well.. it's always sad to see such charming store close..
ReplyDeleteIt has a special ambience for sure....:)
ReplyDeleteIt's not the first time I have heard of small community centered stores like this one closing down, and sadly it won't be the last. We seem to treasure what is lost or soon to be gone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a simply wonderful, nostalgic place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful looking place! Unique and interesting. I hope it opens back up, but that's not looking hopeful after a few years.
ReplyDelete