A Trip To One Of The Oldest General Stores In Illinois Is Like Stepping Back In Time
By Melissa Mahoney|Published September 06, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Historically, general stores have been a vital part of small-town and rural life, providing provisions and other goods to residents of the area. Today, these historic stores provide a sense of nostalgia and give a peek into what life was like in smaller communities so long ago. Illinois has numerous general stores around the state but for now, we will take a step back in time at Mansfield General Store which has been around for well over a century.
The Mansfield General Store occupies what was known as the Manley Building which was constructed in 1895. By 1896, it opened as a general store known as The Enterprise which sold a variety of apparel and gourmet grocery items.
Fifteen years later, in 1911, the store changed ownership and was renamed Cash Supply Store. Refrigerated items and self-serve beverages were added during this owner's tenure. After his death, the store changed hands a third time and was renamed McKee's Cash Supply.
By 1979, the fourth owners of the store took over and renamed it again, this time to Mansfield General Store, which it remains today. Over the years, owners Terry and Susan Thomas added a snack shop known as Shivers and Jitters. Today, it still has that historic feel while incorporating a little bit of modernity.
Inside Mansfield General Store, you'll find a wide variety of items like gifts, old-fashioned candy, collectibles, greeting cards, resale items, and so much more!
Just pull up a stool at the old-fashioned counter at the general store's cafe where you can order a sandwich, a hot dog (perhaps a Chicago dog), some chili, or a quesadilla, among several other items. Just save some room for ice cream afterward!
Have you visited this old-fashioned general store in Illinois? Let us know all about your visit in the comments! For more information on the Mansfield General Store, visit the Facebook page.
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