THE GENERAL STORE
SERVICES

Sometimes the general store was the only business in a community. Besides supplying a wide variety of goods, the store served as a meeting place and a post office.

Most of the early settlements were too small for a bank, so the storekeeper also acted as a banker and sometimes loaned money to customers.

Storekeepers had safes and were often asked to keep important papers for people. (mortgages, deeds, etc.)

The general store sold produce and items that were made locally (in the community). Some of these goods were shipped to other communities. The merchant also had to order supplies from other places.

The first telephone in the community might have been at the general store.

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(what people could buy at the store)