There are still some places in America where you will find a kind of authentic general store, an idea which was born in the times of the Old West and the pioneers. With a little bit of imagination, you may see this shop was the predecessor of the modern mall. In the 1800s, a family who selected to emigrate to the western parts of the US was hard-pressed to find the supplies widely available on the East coast.

However, the owners of these stores made certain that all the necessities were in stock, as well as a few luxury items. You may not find fine silks and china, but you would find sturdy fabrics from which to make your clothing, as well as cookware, basic dishware and crockery important to run the household. For the pioneers, the general store was also a social gathering place.

You might discuss and exchange gossip and stories with people who came to collect supplies for their land, animals and houses.

Kids may be found by the candy counter or the pickle crock. A visit to the general store was a real outing for the pioneers.

Even today, in remote areas of the U.S, for example Alaska's Yukon, you can still find authentic general stores which operate to the same purpose as they actually did over 150 years back. Some place else , the pioneer spirit has been immortalized in museums and interpretive centers which offer a glimpse into the life of the 1800s pioneers. Some little communities have general country stores, which sell groceries to the local population, as well as authentic artifacts of those way back days.

Women hats, arrowheads, old tins and Blue Willow china are among the antiques represented in the modern version of the Old West store. Seemingly some of the people who own and operate these stores look like they are real artifacts themselves. An old, leather-faced man allegedly in his 80s, still dresses in coveralls and plaid shirts, notwithstanding a summer temperature exploding into the 90's. You'd swear his dog, following closely behind his wizened master, is named Yeller. If you are traveling along in the West, a little off the well trodden route, and spot a sign which boasts 'The General Store', take a minute to analyze. You may very well be transported back to a time when there were no malls.