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Posted in Mississippi Food & Dining, Iconic Foods August 11, 2020 by Daniella DiRienzo

Tucked Away Inside Mississippi’s Oldest General Store, 1884 Cafe Serves Great Home Cooking In An Atmosphere That’s Second To None

A day spent dining out and shopping is a day well spent. If you agree, a visit to 1884 Café is a must. Not only does the eatery serve up some tasty home-cooked grub, but it’s located inside the state’s oldest general store. Take a look:

Mississippi’s oldest general store, The Simmons-Wright Company is located along a lone stretch of highway in Kewanee.

The 2-story general store first opened its doors in 1884 and has been in business ever since.

Though the original building burned down in 1926, not much about the general store has changed throughout the years.

Today, just like decades ago, the store is teeming with a variety of merchandise.

Jam-packed, the shelves contain everything from cast iron wares and groceries to hardware and farm supplies.

There are antiques, artwork, and home décor, too.

Many things at The Simmons-Wright Company have remained the same; however, there have been a few changes. One of the biggest came in 2012, when its on-site eatery, 1884 Café opened.

Specializing in home-cooked deliciousness, the café serves up an authentically southern fare.

In addition to hearty breakfasts, the eatery features several lunch specials each day.

Sure to satisfy your craving for a home-cooked meal, the specials include all sorts of local favorites, such as po’ boys, beef tips, fried chicken, fried catfish, BBQ, and much more.

To accommodate diners, several tables have been added to the general store.

With the tables mixed in amongst the merchandise, dining at Café 1884 is quite the experience…

…especially when dining on the second floor – talk about a view!

Something to keep in mind when visiting Café 1884 is that the food is homemade, so it does take a bit of time. However, that’ll just give you a chance to peruse the vast selection of merchandise that fills the store.

1884 Café is open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information, call (601) 632-1884. You can also visit the Simmons-Wright Company website or Facebook page.

So, did you know about this unique eatery? Ever visited? If so, what’d you think of the food? What about the surroundings?

Looking for another old-fashioned general store? Click here.

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Address: The Simmons - Wright Company, 5493 Highway 11 and 80, Toomsuba, MS 39364, USA

Daniella DiRienzo

Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.