JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Back in the day, rural town life revolved around one place: the general store. This was a place where folks could find all kinds of items, from farm tools to long underwear. They also sold food staples, canned goods as well as cured meat, cheese, cold soft drinks coffee and tea.

Throughout the early and mid-20th century, these stores flourished not only as a source for groceries and dry goods, but also as a chance to socialize and catch up on the latest news—an old-fashioned form of social media. (For more, see Amanda Olsen’s story, page 12, and Annemarie Schuetz's story, page 14.)

Eventually, the world of commerce changed dramatically. Supermarkets and big box stores had arrived and offered a variety of food and home goods local markets could not provide, and at prices they couldn’t match. Soon the era of the country store was all but over.

Fortunately, what goes around comes around. We seem to be circling back to the early 20th-century retail store—a return to the personalized service and values of the country store with a modern twist.

Lately there has been an abundance of these general stores opening all over Sullivan and Wayne counties, a shift toward smaller store formats as well as retailers offering a store within a store.
A perfect example is the brand new Sullivan Sundries, which recently opened on Main Street. Owners David Conison, Rebecca Moyer and Brian Sutton decided to pool their resources, talents and love of good food to open a modern version of the country store. “We had this vision of a group of specialty stores within a store, all catering to folks looking for something new and different,” says David. “The idea was to offer customers a unique culinary experience by introducing a variety of international foods, spices, sauces, snacks and condiments to create new and different dishes to add to their home cooking.”

Sullivan Sundries is located in the old Jeffersonville Hardware Store building, a vast, sunny, open space that includes a global collection of foods and spices, specialty cheese and meats.
The front of the store features Bloom Coffee, a wonderful coffee shop owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Jennifer Reddish and Matthew Balding, offering a wide variety of coffees, teas, hot chocolate and kombucha on tap.

Located in the back of the store is a fabulous vintage and gift store: R52 Home. Owner Randy Klocko is a local designer and retailer who has created a distinctive mix of old and new items including books, clothing, Catskill Mountain antiques and a unique collection of greeting cards.

And just like the old country store, you will find friendly, helpful service. Anything they don’t have, they will order for you. Plus, there is an indoor area furnished with picnic tables where you can sit and catch up with friends and neighbors in real time—and you don’t need a cell phone.

Sullivan Sundries, 4890 Rte. 52, Jeffersonville, NY. Call 845/482-5162 or visit Instagram@sullivansundries.