We Ranked The 9 Best Old-Fashioned Country Stores In Tennessee And Here Are The Results
Coal is still on the shopping list at one Tennessee country store. The owners say it’s the only place in Middle Tennessee where you can buy it, sitting near glass-bottle sodas and fresh homemade bread.
I have to admit, that one stopped me in my tracks. Then I learned another store still keeps an 1880s post office inside its walls.
A third hosts live bluegrass on Saturday nights in a building from the 1800s. None of these places are gift shops playing dress-up, and they come with pot-bellied stoves, original wood floors, homemade fried pies, and shelves of old-time candy.
So I ranked my nine favorites across the state, and the results surprised even me. Which one would you drive the back roads to see first?
1. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store
Hot water cornbread fresh off the griddle is reason enough to pull off the interstate in Jackson. This spot pairs it with a Southern buffet that runs around 14 to 15 vegetables and 7 to 8 meats daily.
Think collard greens, white beans, mac and cheese, fried chicken, catfish, pulled pork, and ribs. Beef liver and onions shows up too, for the brave and the proudly old-school.
Save room, because the cobbler lineup includes apple, blackberry, and peach. There’s also a big salad bar and homemade soups if you want to pretend you’re being sensible.
The store sits inside Casey Jones Village, which honors the famous railroader and the golden age of trains. It’s a third-generation family business that has served guests since 1965, so those recipes have had plenty of practice.
Once you’re full, wander through the attached country store. You’ll find old-fashioned candy, local honey, homemade fudge, jams, jellies, and thousands of antiques on display.
Still have room after that? Miss Anne’s Ice Cream Shoppe scoops Blue Bell, which feels like the most Tennessee way possible to finish a meal.
Doors open at 6:30 AM Monday through Saturday, so breakfast is fair game too. Sunday hours run shorter, from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Address: 56 Casey Jones Ln A, Jackson, TN 38305
2. Sutton General Store
Saturday night in Granville means bluegrass, and the stage is a general store built back in the 1800s. The Sutton Ole Time Music Hour fills the room with live music, and reservations are required for the show.
The building’s story has a happy twist. It worked as a general store until the 1970s, then sat closed for nearly three decades.
In 2001, Harold and Beverly Sutton reopened the store after restoring the building, later donating it to the Granville Museum in 2007. Today it holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Look up and around while you’re inside. The original wood floors, walls, and ceiling are still here, along with a historic balcony.
Hungry folks can order country cooking like meat and vegetable plates, made-to-order sandwiches, and cobbler. The ice cream counter adds hand-dipped scoops and milkshakes.
Shelves hold old-time candy like Bazooka bubble gum and Moon Pies. You’ll also spot Key overalls, pocketknives, cookbooks, nostalgic toys, and local crafts.
Plan around the schedule, since it’s open Wednesday through Saturday. Saturday stretches until 8 PM, which gives you plenty of time to eat, shop, and tap your foot.
Address: 169 Clover St, Granville, TN 38564
3. RM Brooks Store
Fried bologna and a fried pie might be the best lunch combo nobody talks about enough. This little store near Historic Rugby has been serving up both, along with plenty of history, since 1917.
It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s still in the family. The great-granddaughter of the original owner runs it today with help from her children.
Inside, you’ll find a pot-bellied stove, rocking chairs, and vintage memorabilia. There’s even an original 1880s Rugby Post Office tucked within the store’s history, which is a pretty wild thing to stumble onto while buying snacks.
Keep an eye out for Polly, the stuffed parrot. She’s been a fixture here for more than 40 years and probably has stories she isn’t telling.
The menu leans classic with fried bologna sandwiches, BBQ sandwiches, hoop cheese, popcorn, and nachos with cheese. Homemade fried pies and Moon Pies cover dessert duty nicely.
Grab a glass-bottle soda from the old-fashioned sliding soda case. It’s the kind of small detail that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a road trip.
Saturday is the day to visit if you want a full breakfast. The store opens at 8:30 AM that day and stays closed Sundays and Mondays.
Address: 2830 Rugby Pkwy, Robbins, TN 37852
4. Muddy Pond General Store
Out on a quiet country road near Monterey, a general store stocks enough baking supplies to make your pantry jealous. Muddy Pond General Store is the kind of place you leave with more bags than you planned.
Bulk foods are a big draw here. Shelves hold baking supplies, spices, candies, and rows of jams and jellies.
Head over to the deli for sliced meats and cheeses. It’s a handy stop if you’re packing a picnic for a drive across the Cumberland Plateau.
The store goes well beyond groceries, too. You’ll find handmade quilts, pots, kitchen items, and candles scattered throughout.
Then there’s the leather shop, which adds a surprise element to a grocery run. Not many general store visits let you shop for flour and browse handmade leather goods at neighboring businesses.
The Muddy Pond area is a rural farming community, and the drive out is part of the fun. Expect winding roads, open fields, and a slower pace that suits a country store perfectly.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Saturday mornings tend to bring the biggest crowds, so weekdays work best for relaxed browsing.
Bring a cooler if you’re stocking up on deli items. Your future sandwiches will thank you for the planning.
Address: 3608 Muddy Pond Rd, Monterey, TN 38574
5. Cumberland Mountain General Store
Back in the 1970s or 80s, this old store came close to being torn down. A local family stepped in and saved it, and Tennessee travelers are still benefiting today.
The store first opened in 1923 along the highway in Clarkrange. New owners reopened it in April 2024, giving the old building a fresh chapter.
Look closely and you’ll see the original shelves, hardwood floors, and classic countertops. Those pieces carry a century of stories without needing a single plaque.
Local vendors fill the space with handmade gifts, home decor, clothing, and accessories. Boutique shoes, jewelry, candles, lotions, toys, and local artwork round out the shopping.
Got a sweet tooth? Old-fashioned fudge and vintage candy share space with freeze-dried candy, which is a fun mix of old and new.
The pantry side brings jams, jellies, honey, and elderberry syrups. There’s also a cafe and coffee bar serving burgers, so lunch is covered.
Friday evenings bring a fish fry, and the store stays open until 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Other days, it closes at 5 PM, and Sundays are off.
Antique fans should give themselves extra time here. There’s a lot to look at between the vintage finds and vendor booths.
Address: 6807 S York Hwy, Clarkrange, TN 38553
6. Old Dunlap General Store, Produce & Hardware
Need a hammer, a jar of pickles, and a burger in one stop? Spencer has you covered at this combo grocery, hardware, and produce store.
The food counter cooks fried dishes, sandwiches, and burgers made to order. Ingredients lean on simple staples like fresh tomato and seasoned fresh beef.
Bring cash, because that’s the only payment accepted. It’s an old-school rule that fits right in with the old-school setting.
The shelves are stocked with homemade jams, jellies, and pickles. Those jars make great souvenirs, or great snacks for the ride home if you’re honest with yourself.
Handmade items show up throughout the store. You’ll even find mattresses upstairs, which is not something most general stores can claim.
Spencer sits in Van Buren County, not far from Fall Creek Falls State Park. That makes this a smart stop before or after a day of hiking and waterfall views.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Sundays are closed, so plan your weekend road trip around that.
Hardware sitting next to homemade preserves might sound odd at first. Out here, it makes total sense, since country stores have always tried to cover a little bit of everything a neighbor might need.
Address: 51 Army Camp Rd, Spencer, TN 38585
7. Webb Brothers Rafting & General Store
Most general stores sell snacks for the road, but this one sends you down the river. Webb Brothers mixes a classic country store with a rafting outfitter along the Hiwassee River in Reliance.
The setting does a lot of the talking here. Reliance is a tiny riverside community surrounded by the forested hills of southeast Tennessee.
River rentals are the main event for many visitors. You can gear up for a day on the water and pick up supplies in the same visit.
Inside the store, you’ll find knickknacks and T-shirts worth browsing. It’s an easy place to grab a souvenir that proves you actually got wet.
The staff are known for being friendly and helpful. That matters when you’re planning a river trip and have questions about what to bring.
History fans will like that this spot has long been a fixture along the river. It’s a little piece of the past that still serves a practical purpose today.
The store keeps generous hours, open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. Weekends are the busiest, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings.
If you prefer a calmer visit, aim for a weekday. Monday mornings tend to be the quietest, which is perfect for slow browsing.
Address: 3708 TN-30, Reliance, TN 37369
8. Phillips General Store
Railroad Square in Bell Buckle looks like a movie set, and this store is one of its leading characters. Phillips General Store fills a real 1800s building with real antiques.
It’s a family-run shop, so the personal touch comes standard. The owner knows a lot about Bell Buckle history, so don’t be shy about asking questions.
Antique lovers can lose track of time here fast. Furniture, used goods, and old-time treasures are packed into the space.
Sweets are part of the deal, too. Few things pair better with antique browsing than a little bag of candy in your pocket.
Craving something colder? The family also runs an ice cream shop just down the road, which makes for an easy second stop.
Bell Buckle itself is a tiny town with a big personality. Its historic downtown makes a great walking loop before or after you shop.
Check the schedule before you go, since the store closes on Tuesdays. Most other days run 10 AM to 4 PM, with Sunday opening at 11 AM.
Leave room in your car if furniture is on your wish list. You never know what piece of the 1800s might want to come home with you.
Address: 4 Railroad Sq, Bell Buckle, TN 37020
9. South Tunnel General Store
Here’s a sentence you don’t read often: this store sells coal. South Tunnel General Store says it’s the only place in Middle Tennessee where you can buy it.
The historic store building dates to 1859, and the business reopened in 2023 after being closed for more than six decades. That’s a long run for any business, let alone one on a country road outside Gallatin.
Shelves carry dry and canned groceries, household goods, and antiques. Fresh homemade bread and locally grown, canned farm goods add a homestyle touch.
Soda fans, pay attention. Glass-bottle sodas come ice cold one at a time or in take-home packs.
It’s also the only store in the area carrying Double Cola. That alone might be worth the drive if you grew up on the stuff.
The store invites you to sip a drink while you look around. It’s a simple idea that turns a quick stop into a relaxed visit.
The owner is working hard to bring back the charm of the old country store. Your purchases help support the restoration of this historic spot.
Timing matters, because hours are limited to Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Mark your calendar, grab a cold bottle of Double Cola, and enjoy a taste of 1859 with a fizzy twist.
Address: 310 S Tunnel Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066