If it isn't already obvious, I get all misty-eyed when I discover old General Stores. To get to Russell's in Bovina, NY, central Catskills, take rt 10 south of Stamford which runs along the valley created by the West Branch of the Delaware River (great fishin' !) . Take a left onto Rt. 18, which is a winding country road next to the river. Just past South Kortwright, take a left, straight up the mountain. It is SO steep that it disables old cars, and there is no way to stop and put the kick stand down. Yesterday, I stopped in the gravel shoulder, and turned off the FJR, balancing the bike, brake on, while turning around 180 to snap the picture of the Valley behind, around the corner from Russell's. Got a charlie horse doing this, and almost dropped the bike.
You can smell the fresh baked goods in the oven as you approach. I go for the oatmeal raisin cookie and cold milk.
Gas pump out front no longer works.
There has been a store at this location since 1823. At this time‚ James Cowan opened a general mercantile shop. He was also a school teacher and at one time the Town Justice. He sold his business in 1846 to Robert Murray. Mr. Murray‚ besides being a merchant‚ was a builder. Ownership then passed to Thomas E. Hastings who erected some new buildings in 1870. A feed store was operated behind the present store. The old foundation of this building can still be seen. In 1893‚ Andrew T. Doig took over the business and operated it until selling it to Cecil H. Russell in 1919. The store remained in the Russell family until their daughter Margorie Russell passed away.
There were a number of people there, yesterday. The cook was very busy, so he told me to go behind the counter, get my own cookie, take a coffee mug from the shelf, and scrounge up my milk in the fridge. "Pay me later," he said with a smile.
The interior is quite original, including the birds-eye maple butcher-block counters.
The cookie is soft and warm.
Penny candy in the jars.
Many of these old stores have burned down from the use of wood stoves and ovens.