Most of us are accustomed to getting our groceries at places like Kroger, Save-A-Lot or even Walmart, because that is basically all that is available today. But there is one place where the local grocery store has been in operation for more than a century.
Chambers General Store has been in continuous operation since 1917. Located in the small college town of Bethany, this store is one of the few shops in the small downtown area.
The Chambers family has owned this store for four generations. It is as much a staple of the community as Bethany College. Aside from the store itself, the Chambers also lease several apartments located in the upper floor of the building.
Although it not nearly as large as a modern grocery store, it is definitely the oldest. One thing you can find inside is locally grown produce at fair prices.
The store also has a deli, which will not only package you meats and cheeses by the pound, but will also make sandwiches if you would just like to buy a single lunch.
They make a variety of sandwiches, soups and subs. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches as well, such as the Chambers Eggnormous sandwich (pictured below), with double egg, bacon, and cheese, plus lettuce and tomato.
All the while, the history of the store and the long century that it has been in operation is apparent among every aisle and on every wall. Numerous pieces of Americana, such as this Pony Express ad, can be seen everywhere, intrinsically tied in with America in the early 20th century.
The store is not limited to food, however. Inside you can find plenty of general household items, personal care products, tobacco products, over-the-counter drugs, school supplies and a hardware section. It is typical of a store in the time period from which it was established; most places were not focused on a particular category of products, like today, but instead had a little bit of everything, thus the general designation.
So, if you want to step into the past, to a time when the old west had faded but many remnants of it still remained, stop by Chambers General Store the next time you are in the northern panhandle.
Chambers General Store is located at 202 Main St. in Bethany.
For more information about Chambers General Store, check out their Facebook page here.
Have you ever been to Chamber’s General Store? What local places do you know about that have been in operation for a very long time? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.
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