The idea of the general store is reminiscent of simpler times and it makes one long for their childhood. After we had walked for a bit on Main Street in North Conway, we made our way into Zeb’s General Store. Zeb’s is a quintessential New England country store that carries a wide variety of items you loved from your past. The store also offers visitors a chance for purchasing more current foods, candy, and hard-to-find specialty items. As I walked up and down the aisles perusing the nostalgic merchandise, I could just feel my childhood memories flooding back.
We have gone to several general stores like this during our travels, but this was the best by far. The store had two stories full of wonderful merchandise for us to feast our eyes upon. I felt as though I was brought back into the past. I also appreciated the craftsmanship that had gone into the original woodwork and antique fixtures throughout the store. It really was like being a kid in a candy store! If you ever have a hankering for a good old-fashioned mercantile experience, Zeb’s is the place for you. As you browse through the photographs below, I hope you feel as though you are experiencing as much nostalgia as I had from that day.
The North Conway Five and Ten Store. As I kid, I remember frequently going to the Five and Dime in North White Plains, New York near Finest. Both of these stores are now long gone. Do you remember your experiences?
A display of glass pumpkin votive holders.
An assortment of autumn candles and accessories.
Here is a beautiful display of witch balls in a variety of colors. I already have one of the trips I had taken to Salem, Massachusetts. I don’t need another one, so taking a photograph would have to do.
Tourists out with their dog for a stroll on Main Street.
The sign for Zeb’s General Store.
Making our way into Zeb’s General Store.
Navigating our way through the endless aisles of eye candy in the general store.
A quintessential display of New England maple syrup.
This is one of the greatest hidden gems inside Zeb’s. This is an original antique soda fountain and coca-cola lamp. It must have been quite an experience to sit at this counter in its day and enjoy an old-fashioned treat.
A tub display filled with a variety of scents of bath blasters.
A display of Bag Balm. This ointment isn’t only for animals. Here is a tip for you pertaining to chapped lips and other chapped areas of your body, such as hands and feet. Don’t waste your money on anything else. Bag Balm is the only thing that works. I have been using this stuff for years. I believe the company also makes lotions and creams for easier application on the skin than the ointment. I always have several small containers around the house and I always have one when I leave the house. This stuff is great for lip protection outdoors. Especially during the winter.
An assortment of bath products for sale in the general store.
Badger products for sale.
We made our way upstairs and found many more aisles of goodies to take in.
As you make your way up the stairs, you will be greeted by a talking stuffed moose. This welcoming moose is part of a display of moose toys for sale. I believe he is well loved by visitors and considered to be one of the employees of the store.
The top floor of the general store.
An antique tricycle. I had a tricycle when I was a kid, as well as a few tricycle scars on my knees from those days.
Upstairs is also where you will find a wonderful variety of Christmas items. I had quite a good time taking photographs in this section of the store. I hope you will enjoy them as well.
How often do you get to see jingle bells?
Mouse caroler Christmas ornaments.
A display of snowmen ornaments.
Christmas ornaments on a tree.
A bird ornament on a Christmas tree.
A wooden cabinet displaying Christmas ornaments for sale.
Hanging cat ornaments for sale.
A hanging pine cone ornament on a tree.
A display of cardinal ornaments.
A Maine Coon Christmas ornament.
After viewing the Christmas ornaments, I continued back on my way downstairs. I couldn’t resist taking a few more photographs.
A black lab wine bottle holder.
Bag of Nickel Bag organic catnip.
A wooden moose crossing sign.
A variety of jarred items.
A t-shirt display located on the bottom floor of the general store.
A Farmer’s Almanac display.
I always wanted one of these barber’s pole. Maybe, one day.
An antique coin master sitting on a shelf.
The stairs located in Zeb’s.
I saved the best part for last. The candy. We as Americans seem to associate candy with feelings of nostalgia and I am no exception. Perhaps this is due to there being all sorts of sweets associated with every holiday. I always think of the Easter baskets we used to receive and of course the great amounts of candy we would trick-or-treat for on Halloween.
The candy corner with different types of nostalgic candies.
This is one of the candy counters and an assortment of candies on display. This part of the store reminds me of a place I visited as a kid. There used to be a candy store located near the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery on Central Avenue in Hartsdale, New York. I can remember how carefully my siblings and I looked through all the displays of candy with wide eyes. That was quite a sweet experience. After much exploring, I believe my siblings and I had chosen handmade chocolate lollipops in the shapes of animals. Unfortunately, the last time I checked to see if the store is still there, I discovered it is now a Dunkin’ Donuts. I suppose that is just the way things go. This is why it is so important to support places like Zeb’s to preserve these precious places of Americana.
Barrels of Zeb’s old-fashioned penny candy.
This is the paper bag I received to bring home my black licorice.
Black licorice is my favorite candy. We ended up buying a pound of Finnish black licorice. I have never had this variety of black licorice and I think this may have to be the one I get from now on. It was very fresh and tasty, like a good old-fashioned treat.
I hope you enjoyed viewing the photographs from this visit and I hope they evoked some good memories.
I liked to see you are a fan of black licorice. there are so few of us. Those philistines eating chocolate…..
Very true, John.
Brilliant and colorful images!!!! What a lovely place this must be to visit!!!!!
Thank you, Lois. Yes, it was a wonderful place to visit. I wish we had spent a little more time there to look at more goodies, but we only had the afternoon. We will have to make another trip soon.