Rhode Island General Store Closes After 224 Years of Business!

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Gray's General Store in Adamsville Village, RI, brought in customers for years with its old-fashioned marble soda fountain, cigar and tobacco cases, and Rhode Island Johnny cakes. Having opened their doors in 1788, this Rhode Island landmark may be the oldest general store in America, and one of the oldest family businesses. Gray’s shop closed last Sunday afternoon after 224 years of business! 

Owner Jonah Waite inherited the shop last month after his father suffered an untimely death due to cancer.  He said Saturday that this was a very hard decision to make, to leave behind all the family history and tradition and close the shop. A few deciding factors that led Waite to his decision were the unstable finances and the newer supermarket down the street which has siphoned away business. 

Waite is only 21 years old, and will be a senior at the University of Hartford in Connecticut in the fall with hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism.  "Obviously, I understand the historical aspect of it, and I would really love to keep it the way it is, but it doesn't seem to me that that's the most feasible option," Waite said. "With the economy ... the place has lost its attraction, lost its luster."  Waite says he is not sure whether he will keep the property or try to sell it.

The shop has been in Waite’s family since 1879, for seven generations and comprises the front part of his home.  He said his father, who died at age 59, loved selling cigars and candy to his costumers.  His grandfather owned the store in the early 1900’s and ran a gristmill to make his own corn meal that was sold in the store.  In 2007, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and then-Gov. Donald Carcieri issued proclamations naming Gray's as the oldest continuously run general store in the country. More customers have been gathering at the store lately to say their last goodbyes. Waite said that although the shop has been in his family for such a long time he thinks his father would support his decision to sell. "He's trusting that I'll do the right thing and what's best for me," Waite said. All good things must come to an end, and after 224 years this historic shop will as well.

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