The Oldest General Store In Delaware Has A Fascinating History
By Kim Magaraci|Published November 17, 2016
×
Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
There’s a lot to love about Slower, Lower Delaware and the old-fashioned way of life is a huge selling point for visitors and residents alike. Not only are there many Mom and Pop restaurants and shops, but Sussex County is home to the oldest General Store in Delaware – one that’s been operating for over 80 years! Wilson’s General Store is still the place to go for many commuters and Georgetown residents for a coffee and a scrapple sandwich on their way in to work, or for a great lunch on their midday break. Have you ever been there? If not, take a look at what makes it such an incredible place.
Wilson's General Store is located on the corner of Springfield Rd and Gravel Hill Rd in Georgetown.
Like most general stores at the time, Wilson's was in a rural neighborhood. Local customers came by to pick up nearly anything they needed, from food to basic hardware and tools, and even guns and ammunition. Gasoline and Kerosene pumps in the parking lot provided much needed fuel for local operations. For decades, Wilson's General Store was the corner store of thousands of people in the Georgetown area.
Advertisement
In 1970, Jim Wilson purchased the store from his father, Marshall.
The Store had become a town center for socializing and catching up with friends. The fireplace in the back of the store made it a cozy retreat for rural families on chilly winter days - a little extra incentive to spend more time at Wilson's.
The family has owned the store for over 70 years, and Jim has been head for over 40. He still mans the counter daily, and if you stop in for morning coffee or a sandwhich, you'll see him behind the register - with his revolver on his hip! One thing that makes Wilson's so interesting is that guns are welcome in the store, and you can even buy firearms and ammo from a cabinet in the back of the building.
Regulars at Wilson's - and there are a lot of them - often stop by for the food.
The Egg and Scrapple sandwhich is famous in the area because nobody makes it quite as well as the cooks behind the grill at Wilson's General Store. If you're a breakfast sandwhich person, take note - this might be the best breakfast in Delaware.
Even if you stop by during lunch, you can still enjoy an amazing sandwich.
Facebook / Wilson's General Store
Subs and club sandwiches are also known around the area for being perfect every time. In fact, Wilson's has survived the downfall of many other local general stores in Delaware due in part to its grill and lunch options. There's just no better place in Georgetown to grab a quick bite to eat and a couple of snacks..
So, next time you're driving through slower lower or headed down to Georgetown, plan a trip to Wilson's.
The place is busy in the mornings, and if you have time, take a few minutes to get into a conversation with a regular, or with Jim Wilson himself. You'll learn a lot about the area, the history of the store, and the culture in rural Georgetown. Really, it's absolutely a testament to the hard work of the Wilson family and the dedication of the people of Georgetown that the same converted schoolhouse has been the town's general store for over 80 years.
Wilson’s is open from 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays. Stop by when you’re visiting the unique, historic town of Georgetown, Delaware.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
