The storekeeper probably knew everyone in the area. Men, women, and children all visited the store to look at the goods, purchase a few needed items, or inquire about their accounts. People from the farms in the countryside came to the store because they knew they would see their friends there.

The general store stocked a wide variety of merchandise. Storekeepers often had a few luxury items such as a fancy hand mirror or an intricate, gold pocket watch just to draw customers into the store. The old saying was, "We may not have everything you want, but we have everything you need."

Food staples such as sugar, salt, flour, vinegar, coffee, and spices were kept on hand year round. Crockery, cutlery, cast ironware, and tinware were always in demand. Hats, boots, shoes, coats, shirts, work clothes, and other factory-made apparel were sole, but so were all of the needles, threads, patterns, cloth, and trim needed to make one's own clothing. A ariety of tools and hardware, patent medicines and stationery were available. The inventory ranged from seeds to paint, stoves to pickles.

Some store owners were agents for manufacturers, taking orders for the sale of farm implements, sewing machines, wagons, and buggies. Counters, tables, and shelves were filled from floor to ceiling joists, all packed with goods. Harnesses, hames, and horse collars dangles from the joists. Wash tubs, ropes, lamps, and lanterns hung on the walls. All of the store's stock was on view, so another old saying was, "If you don't see it, we ain't got it."

Although the store owner preferred cash payments, most of the customers didn't have much ready cash, and many credit systems were used.

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