A Trip To One Of The Oldest General Stores In Arizona Is Like Stepping Back In Time
By Katie Lawrence|Published August 17, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Between an extensive mining history and 385 miles of Route 66 running straight through the state, Arizona is no stranger to old-fashioned general stores. From the iconic Hackberry General Store in Seligman to the Cameron Trading Post just outside the Grand Canyon, nostalgia abounds in these longstanding tourist destinations. Another winsome old store is Oatman General Store, tucked away in a dusty old ghost town most people have forgotten about. It’s over a century old, and visiting is like stepping back in time to much simpler days.
Oatman, a former mining town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, has been made famous by the wild burros that freely roam its streets.
Stepping inside is like taking a trip back to the heyday of the Old West, and you'll forever cherish your visit.
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Today, the store belongs to John and Bonnie Nowak, who settled down in Oatman in 1994 after packing their bags and hitting the road to find a place to retire.
Upon purchasing the general store, the couple stocked the shelves with a small inventory of hot sauces and other groceries, never anticipating the world-famous tourist attraction it would become.
With everything from fine jewelry to an impossibly large collection of Coca-Cola collectibles to tons of Route 66, Oatman, and Arizona souvenirs, you'll be hard-pressed to think of something you can't find here.
Other items include Seiko clocks, assorted knick-knacks, and handmade Native American jewelry and artifacts.
It's only fitting, as Christmas ornaments are some of the best-selling items at the general store! There's no such thing as a bad time to start planning your holiday décor!
Have you ever been to Oatman General Store? If so, what were some of your favorite items? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below, then check out our previous article to learn more about the quirky ghost town.
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