A Trip To One Of The Oldest General Stores In Montana Is Like Stepping Back In Time

Back in the days of soda fountains, nickel and dime stores, and good old-fashioned mercantiles, Montana's bustling small-town shops were local gathering places. Today, Montana's historic general stores offer a glimpse into our state's past - and luckily, Montana still has plenty of them floating around to tickle our nostalgia. Each of our small-town general stores is a symbol of hope - proof that small family businesses can survive and thrive through centuries, even in modern-day retail. The next time you're in Augusta, check out Allen's Manix Store, also known as The Trading Post.

Known as the gateway to the immense Bob Marshall Wilderness, Augusta is a charming small town in Lewis and Clark County.

And with a population of just 318, there's no mistaking this place for a major city.

The Trading Post first opened its doors in 1902, serving as the only general store in town.

It has been owned and operated by the Allen family for almost half a century. That makes it one of the oldest general stores in Montana! Susie Allen currently runs the shop, having taken over when she was only 20 years old in the 1970s.

With the Rocky Mountain Front serving as a backdrop, this store always sees a steady stream of travelers heading to the mountains or to Glacier National Park.

That's why the store always has a great supply of souvenirs, plus plenty of hunting and fishing supplies.

You'll find a little bit of everything here, actually.

(Even Christmas decorations, in season!)

From fruits and vegetables to frozen goods, fresh-baked goodies, and other staples, you'll find all the groceries you need.

And don't forget to check out all the locally-made treasures.

The motto here is "If we don't have it, you don't need it."

The store even has a variety of delicious baked goods, from pastries to cookies.

It's especially well-known for its mouthwatering maple bars.

They're open late too - so come on in!

Have you ever heard of this old-fashioned general store in Montana? Keep up on current happenings, celebrations, special events, and more on their Facebook page.

Do you have any memories of visiting a local general store when you were younger? What about The Trading Post specifically? What did you always get while you were there? Share your stories below!

Next up, keep exploring more historic places around Augusta - this tiny community is a delightful slice of Big Sky Country! In fact, nearby you'll even find a pretty sweet swimming hole to cool off in during those searing summer months. What's more, you'll find some wonderfully cozy accommodations to choose from as well, so stay as long as you like!