When thinking of the oldest general stores in Arkansas, the Oark General Store surely comes to mind. However, it’s not the only general store in Arkansas that’s withstood the test of time. There’s also Wolff General Store, which dates back to the 1870s. Not too long ago, it was on the brink of ruin. Luckily, though, it’s been relocated, restored, re-stocked, and re-opened!
Wolff General Store is nestled on Coulter Farmstead, which is a wedding, event, and lodging venue in Washington, AR.
Now billed as one of the “most recognizable buildings in Hempstead County,” the general store opened in Bingen, AR in 1871.
The same family owned and operated it for over 100 years! Eventually, though, it was closed, abandoned, and left to wither away.
When it was at a point of near collapse, the dilapidated building was raised and relocated to Coulter Farmstead.
Once at the farmstead, it underwent an extensive restoration And in 2020, it (re)opened to the public as Wolff Mercantile.
It’s now as charming as ever!
Plus, it’s stocked with great stuff. And since just about everything in the store is made by someone the owner personally knows, you can shop with confidence.
Don’t worry, though. The store hasn’t lost its old-fashioned charm.
In fact, its location on the farmstead only adds to its historic appeal.
There’s actually another perk to its location on the farmstead. It’s near Historic Washington State Park, so you can easily continue your journey back in time.
Ready to plan a visit to this historic shop? For more information, call Coulter Homestead at (501) 650-2296. You can also visit the Coulter Homestead website. And remember to like Coulter Homestead on Facebook.
So, did you know about this general store? Did you know it was one of the oldest in Arkansas? Know of another great place from the past? Tell us!
If you're passionate about these history-packed spots in our state, we have put together a charming road trip to historic places in Arkansas. And to accompany it we have a road trip packing list to make sure you have everything you need.
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