101 Places to See Before You're 12 - A General Store

A General Store

 

Thomas and I have been eluded by this 101 Place many, many times. 

We have searched for one on each of our trips - especially through small towns. 

We found out there was a pretty famous one in New York City (surprisingly), but it had closed down before we traveled there last summer. 
Everywhere you would think there would be a general store, we couldn't find one. 

 

But, we did on Oahu!

 

We found two that were not only real General Stores (not a new gimmicky store), but were worth our time to visit, so we made sure to visit both places.  OR, we tried to.

 

Our first stop was on the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa.  The Aloha General Store is known for the best shave ice in Hawaii.  I had a PLAN to eat a really good shave ice while I was in Hawaii. 

 

Turns out I got two.

After our hike up Diamond Head and back down, David decided we all needed a treat.  We got shave ices at the vendor at Diamond Head.  "It's just a snow cone!" you say?  I disagree.  Shave ice is much, much better.

 

Anyway, on our trip around the island we headed towards the North Shore.  In Haleiwa we found the Aloha General Store and decided to check out their Shave Ice - known as the best on the island. 

It was amazing. 

They put ice cream at the bottom of the cone, and will then drizzle coconut on top. 
TO DIE FOR.

 

 

 

 

Who needs makeup in Hawaii (apparently).
Two thumbs up to the Aloha General Store and their awesome shave ice!

I also read about the Heiakeia Pier General Store that doesn't look like much but supposedly has amazing food.  In fact, it was featured of Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives", or "Triple D" as our friend John calls it.  I'm not sure we had eaten in a Triple D before, so we thought we'd check it out.

We continued our drive around the island, ending up in some rain on the Windward side of the island, close to dinner.

This General Store is located on the pier near Kaneohe Bay.  You can't even see the mountains for the clouds and rain. 

We stopped at the Pier for dinner and to check out their General Store.

Being Sunday evening, they were closed!  We were so bummed!  And hungry.

Dejected and hungry men

Never fear! 
We found a Zippy's just south in Kaneohe (they all have Napoleon's Bakeries now!!!) and ate at my sister Shelly's favorite restaurant.  In perhaps the entire world. 

 

 But, we did enjoy our experience at at least one general store!

From the Book:

#46 - A General Store

Back in the old days before shopping centers and strip malls, there were general stores.  They were the only store in town, and you could get everything you needed there:  food, fabric for making clothes, shoes, school supplies - you name it.  But it wasn't so much the stuff that made general stores special - it was the atmosphere.  You could always count on running into someone you knew there (hopefully someone you liked!) and you could always catch up on the latest news.  The general store was really at the heart of the community.  Although many have vanished, there are still some great general stores left that you can visit.  They still have really cool merchandise that you won't find anywhere else, but best of all, they still have atmosphere.