Do you ever find yourself longing for the days before WiFi and iPhones kept us ever-connected to modern-day problems and stresses? Sometimes you just want to escape back to a simpler time. One nostalgic place where you can do just that is the St. James General Store, the oldest general store in New York.

With how developed Long Island is nowadays, it's hard to imagine anything so quaint existing there.
DanTD/Wikimedia Commons
But the St. James General Store has stood the test of time. Amazingly, they've been in business since 1857! This is a holdover from when the area was much less urbanized.
LJ Shurpik/Google Maps
It's actually the oldest continuously-operating general store in the entire country.
With old-school surroundings like these, it's so easy to imagine the centuries of shoppers that have walked through here. The building has not changed structurally since 1894.
Franklin Bonilla/Google Maps
There's plenty of delicious baked goods here, along with candies, gifts, homemade crafts, and much more.
Leonard Partiss III/Google Maps

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St. James General Store goes all out for holidays! Particularly at Christmas, you'll find all kinds of decorative trinkets and treasures on its shelves.
JB Brown/Google Maps
Several times during its existence, the store was threatened by development. Thankfully, it is now protected by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
St. James General Store/Facebook
The shop is now owned by the Suffolk County Department of Parks.
Definitely make sure you go up to the second floor. It's almost like a museum filled with old artifacts related to the area's history. They also have quite a few books for sale.
Jake Piacenti/Google Maps
Stop by and check out all they have for sale! You never know what kind of gems you'll find at the oldest general store in New York. Candy, decor, books, holiday goods... visiting the St. James General Store is a real-life treasure hunt!
pat rohr/Google Maps
 

Have you been to the St. James General Store? It’s served as a shopping place for generations of New Yorkers. Share your experiences in the comments.

For more information about the St. James General Store in New York, visit their Facebook page.

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St James General Store, 516 Moriches Rd, St James, NY 11780, USA