You can’t beat a good old fashioned general store.

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We drove down to Barrington New Hampshire recently… specifically to visit this store.

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Calefs was opened in 1869 and run by the same family for 150 years. Walking through its doors is like stepping back in time.

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Filled to the rafters with quirky products you’re not apt to see anywhere else, it’s a wonderful place to browse.

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Here’s the husband examining some pickled quail eggs.

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You can’t go wrong with peace, love or cheese.

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Beer?

They have that too.

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People still fill buckets with pickles from a wooden barrel.

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Though as I was taking a picture of this briny abomination the man behind the counter said, “Go ahead… no one’s tried them yet!”

Can’t say I’m surprised.

🤢

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Even the hot sauce was fun.

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The creaky uneven floors of the old farmhouse were great and my husband thoroughly enjoyed gawking at all the antiques lining the top shelves. The woman standing next to him works there and shared some story history.

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Naturally, we came home with goodies.

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Dinosaur wine gummies anyone?

🤣

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40 thoughts on “You can’t beat a good old fashioned general store.”

  1. 🤢 every Summer my dept rents an icecream truck, they had the pickle pop. I took one lick abd that was that. It was extremly salty and gross & I pickles.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I had a similar experience when offered Gatorade popsicles near the start of an AIDS walk. The nearest trashcans were overflowing from people throwing them away. 9k later, hot & tired (my team buttlagged so bad that the street cones were being removed ahead of us), those popsicles were the best things ever!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Well I like regular pickles too bro but this popsicle was like 1 % vinegar 99 % salt. Licking frozen salt aint my idea of a good time.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. In defense of Pickles, (good essay topic no?) I’m going to have to say that they’ve gotten me out of more pickles than I care to remember. That pickle pop you were in front of, when I was still running they’d help me with muscle cramps because of the potassium they have. Also, I LOVE pickles so I keep them on hand because the pickle brine is good at combating heartburn. It sounds crazy but it works.
    Those wine gummies are right up my alley for sure, let me know your critique after you’ve opened them, lol. Those cheeses look divine, I’m also a cheese-a-holic, and that ladies and gentlemen is why I can’t loose weight 😉

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sadly the Rat Trap cheese was awful. I doubt rats would even like it. Haven’t sampled the cheddar yet…
      But I’m giving the winosaurs to a friend so no review will be available. Sorry.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I haven’t had that brand of wine gummies, but whatever brand I had were a major disappointment. They were supposed to be assorted wines but were mostly flavorless.

        Liked by 2 people

  3. The “Peace, Love & Cheese” (what is it? a toaster cover? cutting board cover? I see the seam along the top.) reminds me of a little cheese shop I rode into in a small town along the Mississippi River. They had a dish towel for sale that said “LSD – Better living through chemistry.”

    Liked by 2 people

  4. “Rat Trap” cheese?
    I would have ended up with tons of jam and any unique mustards.

    I love the grenade pkging!!

    I don’t think I’ve seen or been into an old style General Store since I was a teen. Thank you for the flashback!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Ohh, maaan… I love a good marmalade! My mother used to make berry jams (black, blue, olalie, rasp,… ) and pomegranate jelly. Even in our small trailer while on vacation. Sadly, she never taught me. I know the cooking part isn’t difficult, but I fear canning them incorrectly.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. OMG, takes me back to the Moultonborough General Store & Museum in New Hampshire. Same vibe, but with a farming implements exhibit upstairs. You should take your husband–oh, wait. No. No. Never mention it to him.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Oh my—how were the wine gummies? I can’t even fathom those. I love places like this and your honey looks to be in heaven.

    We have a place that looks just like this in Dahlonega, GA; so much fun to go there and bring our visitors.

    Liked by 1 person

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