EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS THROUGH DEC. 22
Mon. & Tues.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed. - Sat.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS THROUGH DEC. 22
Mon. & Tues.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed. - Sat.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5 & 10 stores are mostly a thing of the past.
At one point, nearly every town had one.
However—over time, things have changed (as they often do).
And now, the 5 & 10 variety store is mostly a relic of a bygone era—the kind of thing you look at to view what life may have been like in the retail marketplace of the late 1800s-early/mid 1900s.
But of course, there are still a few left.
And in this post, you’re going to learn about 8 of the oldest 5 & 10 stores that still keep the doors open, even to this day!
If you love shopping, history, and the nostalgia of the old-time variety store, these are stores that you absolutely must check out on your next shopping trip or vacation.
Northville 5 & 10, located at 122 S. Main St. Northville, NY, is the oldest 5 &10 store still operating in the U.S. today.
Founded in 1907 by R. G. DeWitt, this store still boasts the original hardwood floors, inlaid with stars and some embedded coins, that it sported back when the current building was constructed in 1912.
They’re famous for their 15 varieties of homemade fudge, which they produce right on the premises. They also carry over 250 types of penny and novelty candy, new and vintage toys, and more.
Berdine’s 5 & Dime has been operating continuously at 106 N Court St, Harrisville, West Virginia since 1908.
If you pay a visit to what is now one of America’s oldest true 5 & 10 stores, you’ll find that they still have the same antique oak floors, tin ceilings, and classic merchandise that’ll really take you back for a nostalgic walk through time.
They carry tin toys, bulk candy, books, practical stuff, fun stuff, and more!
Sine’s 5 & 10, located at 236-240 W. Broad St. Quakertown, Pennsylvania, is an old-fashioned 5 & 10 store that’s been family owned and operated since 1912.
Over 200 model airplanes still hang from the ceiling, and a standard-gauge train still runs along 200 ft. of track within the store. This train even crosses two 50 ft. suspension bridges!
Their Christmas Room stays open year-round, and they serve breakfast, lunch, milkshakes, ice-cream sodas, and sundaes at their soda fountain.
This is a 5 & 10 store that you’re definitely not going to want to miss out on. Especially if you’re an ‘old-timer at heart,’ or if you just tend to like ‘old timey’ things!
Nina’s Dept. & Variety Store, located at 143 E. Jefferson St. Spring Green, Wisconsin, is a historic department store that’s filled with all kinds of awesome historic and modern goods.
It’s been family-owned-and-operated for four generations, since 1916. You’ll find clothing, home essentials, natural yarns, classic toys, and so much more.
This store also has a really interesting history. For example, back in 1933, during the blight of the Great Depression, the name of the store was temporarily changed to The Economy Store, to reflect new lower-priced inventory and merchandise.
Dooley's 5 - 10 & 25c Store, located at 131-133 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg, Texas, is an old-style Five and Dime store founded back in 1923.
It still boasts the same vintage wooden floors, the same pressed metal ceilings, and the same kind of old-fashioned variety store goodness that your grandma and grandpa would have enjoyed looking at when they were kids.
For those of you who remember the old 5 & 10 stores, Dooley’s is truly a stroll down memory lane (plus, it’s a great place to pick up stocking stuffers).
If you live in the Lone Star State, or plan to visit, you should definitely check out Dooley’s.
EDIT: As of 2022, Dooleys has unfortunately closed.
Emery’s 5 & 10, established in 1927, can be found at 131 The Island Drive, Suite 5105/5106, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
This classic five and dime store is known as ‘the oldest five and dime in the south,’ and they certainly deserve that title.
They offer a truly nostalgic shopping experience, unlike any other.
Find books, candy, old-fashioned sodas, and an array of hand-picked merchandise (specifically selected from family-owned businesses across the country).
And even though the store has grown and developed into a modern day shopping destination, you can still see black and white photos of the original store and location hanging up along the walls, along with some vintage decor hanging from the ceiling.
Yes, we’re proud to say that Vidler’s 5&10 (that’s us!) is indeed an item on this list.
Founded in 1930 at the onset of the Great Depression, Vidler’s (located at 676-694 E Main Street) has been a mainstay shopping destination in East Aurora, New York for over 90 years now.
Come on in for gifts, knick-knacks, candy, collectables, retro and vintage toys, school/office supplies, seasonal items, candles, and all kinds of other random things that you literally won’t find anywhere else!
We’d love to have you!
National 5 & 10 is Delaware’s oldest family-owned, family-run five and dime store, and they’re awesome.
Located just blocks away from the University of Delaware, on Main Street in downtown Newark, they carry a huge range of clothing items, gifts, seasonal merchandise, party supplies, and more.
They’re also an awesome option for shopping for all of your favorite University of Delaware gear and apparel.
If you happen to be passing through Newark, or visiting the University, then National 5 & 10 is a must-visit five and dime store that absolutely must earn a list-spot on your historic shopping radar.
There you have it! 8 of the oldest and most well-known 5 & 10 stores from a bygone era that are still going strong to this day. Walking through the doors will invoke some serious nostalgia. You’ll also probably walk out with a ton of awesome stuff in-tow, as well as some beautiful new memories made.
We want to know! Have you been to any of these other 5&10’s before? Are there any you love that we missed on this list? Stop in to Vidler’s to tell us about it, and we’ll tell you something equally fascinating in return.
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9am to 6pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am to 6pm
Sundays : 11am to 5pm