St. James General Store
St. James General Store
4.5
Speciality & Gift ShopsHistoric Sites
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles27 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Busy B
Saint James, NY42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Absolute must see! Oldest store in the US. It feels like walking through time. All your favorite candies from the good old days, and so many incredible toys! I manage to pick up a unique gift or holiday decor every time I come here!
Written 15 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cynthia1029
Huntington, NY21 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Friends
We traveled for an hour to visit this shop. We normally love stores that keep a sense of history. We took my 93 year old mother with us for what we thought would be a special treat. My mother is the sweetest , kindest woman ever. After we walked around the shop for a bit, my mother asked to use the ladies room. The woman behind the counter was very nasty and said the bathroom was only for employees. She could see my mother’s disappointment (age was a factor) , and she didn’t care. She told her to go use the gas station down the road. I asked if they could make exception , to which she was extremely insensitive and nasty. I know the law says they don’t have to, but there are circumstances where being human comes first. This law will change May 21st 2021. But I will never go back to this place with children, older people or for that matter ever again. And I intend on making sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else again! Whoever the older blond woman behind the counter was, I hope this doesn’t happen to you! We left. And I realized that I didn’t need any of the things I came to buy. I can buy everything at a local farmers market, or another local shop that doesn’t claim to be old fashioned , and yet buys a good portion of their goods from China. Never again. Where has kindness gone? Disappointed to say the least!!!
Written 7 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lolly’s Look
New York City, NY12,820 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019
The St James General Store is a step back in time. The old fashioned shop dates back to the 1800s. It has a New England feel on Long Island. It’s crammed with cute giftware, hand towels, potpourri and a candy counter.
Written 23 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nangavaram R
Smithtown, NY233 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Family
My cousin and his son visted me in October. I took them to this Store, they were amazed how long this store is under operation. They also impressed this store featured in some movie location and other commercial shootings
Written 7 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gwen D
Saint James, NY22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Couples
This charming General Store is so quaint and filled with wonderful gifts, toys and candies. Whoever is responsible for ordering the merchandise should be commended.
After visiting, be sure to take a slow drive around the neighborhood. Five minutes away is a secret spot called Cordwood Park on Harbor Rd. It's a small park where you can sit in your car or on a bench and gaze at the water. Serenity. Warning: you may decide to move here. It is a kinder gentler place.
Written 8 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mariel H
Garnerville, NY18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Couples
I love this place, they have all kinds of candy and plenty of things to look at including antiques and books.
Written 30 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cyberyaya
Sebastian, FL56 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Couples
It’s nice to know that some good things in this fast-paced, quickly changing world remain virtually the same despite the passing years. I first visited the St. James General Store as a college student in the mid 60’s when all of its wonders – and enticing aromas -- were contained in the front room. The back room was the territory of the owner’s large but friendly dog who hung over lower half of the double Dutch door and greeted each and every customer. Later years would see me bringing first my little son and later my daughter and introducing them to the joys of penny candy and old time toys. In the ensuing years, the store has been expanded to include both the back room and upstairs spaces but these changes have not altered the old fashioned charm or the primarily late Victorian-style inventory along with a few more modern items. The second floor has a good selection of books for both adults and children related to Long Island history. Although the General Store is now owned and operated by the Suffolk County Historic Trust and a good bit of the inventory is far, far pricier than in days gone by, the penny candy counter still beckons and the folks behind the counter are still as friendly and helpful as in years gone by. Built in 1857, the store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operated general store in the United States. It is well worth a visit!
Written 10 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann A
Hauppauge, NY42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018
The St. James General Store is a place that everyone should visit at least once, if not more. There is something for everyone there. There is a second floor. Although the stairs are narrow, it is worth going upstairs.
Written 23 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rocky G 🏌️
St James, NY24,706 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Solo
Just off route 25 A a few blocks. Do drive the speed limit. The local police here are looking for any excuse to pump up the towns revenue.

The Store gives you a look back at how things were many years ago. Fun inexpensive penny Candy from years ago. Its a small place but very interesting and worth a stop.

There are interesting big museums a mile or two down the road in Stony Brook to enjoy also.
Written 22 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rhonda B
42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Friends
Really a terrific historical place to go browsing in here on long island !the prices are very reasonable and how can you not forget about purching whatever you would like even the penny candies !let me tell you all many many years ago I really enjoyed going to the historical St. James.General Store which I found it a very great place to visit !Rhonda Bienes
Written 26 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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