Smithtown, A History: Our General Store

In days gone by, there were no malls or supermarkets. People had to rely solely on their local general store for food, fabric and other necessities.

Today the St. James General Store is still standing at its original location on Moriches Road. According to Suffolk County's official Web site, the store is the oldest continuously operating general store in the United States.

Richard Smythe descendant Ebenezer Smith built the general store in 1857. According to the county's Web site, Ebenezer left St. James for a few years. He spent some time in the Mississippi River Valley trading with Native Americans and in California when he heard of a gold strike.

When Ebenezer returned to St. James, he built the store in the heart of the area's business district. Besides a place to buy necessities, there was a post office located within the building. Ebenezer's son Everett inherited the business, and it remained in the Smith family until 1940.

The general store was always filled with activity. The county's Web site shares this story: "Everett Smith, as a courtesy, stepped outside to deliver mail to women on horseback who did not want to dismount their horses and come into the store. After a while, he tired of dashing in and out of the store. He posted a sign stating 'people on horseback must enter store for mail.' One day, a woman entered the store for her mail - on horseback."

When Everett passed away, it was his father-in-law Karl Ericson who kept it running. Louise and Andrew Havrisko owned the store through the 60s and 70s, and in the 80s it was John and Eleanor Oakley that cared for the business.

In 1990 the store was purchased by the Suffolk County Parks Department, and it was dedicated to the Suffolk County Historic Trust. According to the store's manager Karen Sheedy, it was the county that painted the outside of the general store from white to its original colors.

Sheedy said she and the sales associates always hear stories from locals who remember coming to the store when they were younger. There was one point where children would bring a fresh egg on their birthdays and get candy in return.

Sheedy also said, "We always get the people who used to ride their bikes from places like Centereach. They would get a molasses pop."

While not made in the store anymore, those molasses pops are still available. Along with old-fashioned candy, visitors will find other charming merchandise for sale throughout the store.

The St. James General Store is also decorated with artifacts from days gone by. While not for sale, these items add to the landmark's quaint feel and remind you of simpler times.