7 Old-Timey General Stores In Idaho

Deeply rooted in the exploration and expansion of the American West, Idaho became the 43rd state of the Union on July 3, 1890, marking decades of development driven by mining, logging, and agriculture. As settlers arrived in waves, the need for essential goods and services gave rise to mercantiles, or general stores, which quickly became the heart of many rural communities. These stores served as more than just places of commerce; they were hubs for communication, supply depots for homesteaders, and gathering spots where neighbors shared news and made friends. As Idaho grew, so did its general stores. Here are seven old-timey general stores that serve as reminders of Idaho’s rich history and the nostalgia that still resonates today.

The Tracy General Store, Almo

The Tracy General Store is one of the oldest continuously-operating general stores in the United States. Located in Almo, residents have relied on the old-timey store since it opened in 1894 as a country store for the early pioneers who settled in the area as part of the Homestead Act of 1862. The Homestead Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, granting 160 acres of land to any U.S. citizen or immigrant who intended to become a citizen. The general store has been in the Eames family since it was first established by two brothers who founded the Eames Bros. Store.

The store was sold to the daughter of one of the brothers and her husband, Joseph Tracy, and the store changed its name. Today, the Tracy General Store sells gas, groceries, and serves lunch in an atmosphere surrounded by vintage cash registers and scales. It is the perfect retro pit stop for anyone heading to the City of Rocks National Reserve or Castle Rocks State Park, both premier destinations for rock climbers and hikers.

Nelson’s Old West Hardware Co., Spirit Lake

Nelson’s Old West Hardware Co. is located on the historic downtown main street of the rural outdoorsy town of Spirit Lake, part of the Coeur d'Alene region in the Idaho Panhandle. More than just a hardware store, Nelson’s carries a little bit of everything from gourmet rubs and soup mixes, coffee mugs, jams and jellies, and vintage toys like Rock’em Sock ‘em Robots. There’s a friendly coffee shop onsite that serves lunch with a side order of nostalgia.

Visiting Spirit Lake is like stepping back in time with its rich mix of logging and mining history. The small Northern Idaho town is over 100 years old, and in addition to the old-fashioned family-owned hardware store, Spirit Lake is home to the oldest operating saloon in Idaho, the White Horse Saloon.

L.C. Watson & Co. General Merchandise, Spalding

The L.C. Watson & Co. General Merchandise, often referred to simply as the Watsons Store, first opened for business in 1910 by Lewis and Margaret Watson and remained in operation until their declining health and the accidental death of their daughter forced them to sell the store in the mid-1960s. The store primarily served the Nez Perce community due to its location within what is now the Nez Perce National Historical Park, which spans the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The store sold goods, more often on credit than in cash, or exchanged goods for services, and carried items for the Nez Perce people, including shawls, blankets, beads, and foodstuffs. It also served as the local post office, drug store, and community meeting place.

Roseberry General Store, Roseberry

In the historic town of Roseberry, about two hours north of Boise, the Roseberry General Store remains, looking much as it did when it first opened in 1905 to serve the influx of Finnish immigrants to Valley County. By 1911, Roseberry was the largest town in the county, earning the nickname of “Little Finland.” In its heyday, Roseberry had sawmills, flour mills, a hotel, and its own baseball team, but when a railroad was built in the nearby town of Donnelly, it sounded a death knell for the booming town, and the Roseberry General Store closed in 1939.

The little general store changed hands over the years until Frank Eld purchased the building in the 1970s and began restoring the Roseberry General Store, as well as the entire town, building by building. Today, Roseberry is home to over 20 historic buildings, including the Valley County Museum, where fans of old-timey general stores can take a tour of the Roseberry General Store and its shelves stocked with the same type of items that were likely there in the early part of the 20th century.

L.B. Worthington Dry Goods and Groceries, Clayton

The lure of gold attracted thousands of prospectors looking to strike it rich, and the small mining town of Clayton was no different, transforming into a hub of opportunity seemingly overnight. When iron ore was discovered in 1880, a smelter was erected on the shores of the Salmon River. With prospectors doubling the town’s size, the Idaho Mining and Smelter Company Store followed in 1881, selling essential supplies like food, clothing, and tools.

In 1930, the store was sold, and the sign was changed to L.B. Worthington Dry Goods and Groceries. In 1933, the store was sold again, and the large front windows of the store were painted with its new name, “Leuzinger General Merchandise.” The building also housed the local post office from 1910 until 1921. Today, the old company store has been beautifully restored as a museum open on summer weekends, attracting ghost hunters, paranormal enthusiasts, and mining buffs to the small town.

Ustick Mercantile, Boise

The Ustick Mercantile still stands in the once-thriving agricultural community of Ustick, now part of Boise. Established in 1907, the Mercantile quickly became a central hub for the town's residents, providing goods such as groceries, gas, and other staples that supported the daily lives of the farmers. Archie and Nora Pelton were the original owners of the store, which was strategically located near the Boise Valley Railway, where local farm produce was weighed and shipped via the local railway system, “The Interurban.” The store wasn't just a place of commerce; it also housed the town's post office, cementing its status as an integral part of the community.

Although the Ustick Mercantile building no longer operates as a general store, it stands across the street from the First Bank of Ustick, withstanding the test of time and still serving as the location for other businesses. Today, the West Valley Neighborhood Association honors the historic Ustick townsite with an annual celebration called Ustick In Bloom, which attracts over 400 neighbors from West Boise to the event.

Ola General Store, Ola

The Ola General Store was established at around the same time as the Ola post office in 1882 in the small community named after “an old Swede that happened along,” according to local legend. Until the late 1980s, the post office was located inside the general store, situated between Horseshoe Bend and Emmett. The store finally closed its doors for good sometime between 1987 and 1989. Today, this throwback gem of a general store, with its charming front porch and vibrant vintage advertising, is privately owned and occasionally operates as a guest house.

Summary

From the Tracy General Store in Almo to Spirit Lake’s Nelson’s Old West Hardware Co., these old-timey general stores in Idaho provided not only essential goods but also a sense of place and tradition. In Clayton, L.B. Worthington Dry Goods and Groceries reflects the region's mining boom, while Boise’s Ustick Mercantile and Ola’s General Store exemplify how these community hubs supported agriculture and rural life, with many incorporating a local post office. Whether restored as museums or still in use, these historic general stores embody Idaho’s pioneer spirit and serve as windows into its vibrant history.