Wood floors creak with fond memories and friendly nostalgia wafts through the air in the Cottagewood General Store. Little is known about the owners, Ralph and Stella Chapman, who opened the store as a small grocery in 1895. Through its storied existence, the store has been operated by 28 entities.
When the Cottagewood General Store closed in January 1995 and yet another lonely “For Sale” sign hung in the window, it was a déjà vu experience the Cottagewood community was not about to relive, so a committee was formed and money raised to buy it from the previous owner. It’s currently “owned by the neighbors,” community foundation PR rep Terry Bolin says.
There was a time when every town had a store like the Cottagewood General Store, a time when spurs sang with every step and more disputes were solved in the saloon than in the courthouse. But today as much as yesterday, the Cottagewood General Store is still alive and kicking—truly an Americana legend to behold.
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Join the season-opening celebrating from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 27. For more information, visit cottagewoodusa.com.
