Craving a road trip where every pit stop feels like a time capsule—and a great place to eat? Tennessee’s country stores deliver hand-scooped candies, hot biscuits, hardware, and hometown chatter under one weathered roof. These are working markets, community hubs, and living museums where locals still swap stories by the counter. From gristmills to bluegrass dinners, here are nine spots worth planning your route around.
Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store — Jackson
At Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, nostalgia meets appetite in the best way possible. Inside, rows of old-fashioned candy jars and shelves loaded with locally made preserves tempt you before you even see the cafeteria-style buffet. Families and tour buses roll in for fried chicken, greens, and pies served with friendly efficiency. Outside, the weathered-wood exterior frames a steady stream of people grabbing coffee or a quick plate of comfort food. It’s part museum, part dining hall, and entirely Southern hospitality. Come hungry, leave with a sack of sweets, and plan to linger over refills and stories.
Cumberland Mountain General Store — Clarkrange
Opened in 1923, Cumberland Mountain General Store still feels like the town’s heartbeat. Visitors browse vintage candies by the scoop, bars of handmade soap, and changing displays of local crafts that reflect the seasons. On weekends, the place hums with community events, live pickin’ sessions, and chatting on the porch. When the owners host a Friday fish fry, locals treat it like a social night out—plates piled high, conversations even higher. The market is practical, nostalgic, and welcoming all at once. Stop for a snack, stay for the stories, and leave with a handcrafted keepsake.
Dunlap Mercantile — Dunlap
Dunlap Mercantile blends curated style with small-town soul inside one of Dunlap’s oldest buildings. The shop’s carefully chosen antiques pair with a modern “hat bar,” where visitors shape brims, add bands, and build a custom look. At the front counter, locals swap news while the staff helps find gifts and vintage treasures. The building itself, long regarded as the city’s oldest structure, adds a sense of continuity to every purchase. It’s the kind of place where you come for one item and leave with many stories. Don’t skip the hat bar—people talk about it long after their visit.
Shelby Forest General Store — Millington
Just outside Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, this Depression-era dry-goods store serves hikers and neighbors with equal charm. Inside you’ll find bulk candies, jarred pickles, and shelves of Mennonite baked goods that sell out fast. Adirondack chairs and handcrafted rockers sit out front, a porch invitation to linger after a trail day. The store’s link to a nearby Mennonite community means pies, breads, and furniture with real craftsmanship. It’s a supply stop, snack counter, and front-porch hangout rolled into one. Grab a sweet, a seat, and a bit of shade—then take home something built to last.
Cotton’s Country Store — Greeneville
Cotton’s Country Store is the definition of a dependable local hub. Morning regulars slide in for biscuits while the deli readies hearty plates for the lunch rush. Coolers hold farm-raised pork, shelves stock local coffee, and the scent of fresh-baked sourdough drifts through the aisles. Weekdays see neighbors chatting, ordering sandwiches, and grabbing pantry staples in one stop. The family-owned feel is unmistakable—quick service, familiar faces, and reliable favorites. Locals swear by the deli and that tangy sourdough for quick meals. If you’re passing through Greeneville, this is the bite-and-stock-up stop you want.
R.M. Brooks General Store — Robbins
R.M. Brooks feels like a roadside time capsule where everyday needs meet a touch of history. Order a thick-sliced bologna sandwich, snag a wedge of hoop cheese, then poke around shelves mixing hardware with antique finds. Longtime visitors remember the Gulf gas sign out front, a beacon for travelers bound for Big South Fork. The store’s part market, part museum vibe invites you to wander slowly. You’ll spot cast-iron pans, old tools, and unexpected treasures beside practical staples. It’s a place to refuel both car and spirit, and to savor a style of commerce that refuses to disappear.
T.B. Sutton General Store — Granville
In historic Granville, T.B. Sutton General Store doubles as a practical pit stop and a music hall. Shoppers pick up canned goods, souvenirs, and a quick lunch before heading back on the road. Come Saturday night, the Sutton Ole Time Music Hour fills the two-story space with bluegrass and clinking dinnerware. It’s both a throwback and a thriving community tradition. The building’s 19th-century bones creak pleasantly under lively conversation. Stop for a sandwich, then stay for the strum and stomp. Few places package groceries, history, and toe-tapping tunes this neatly.
The Old Mill & General Store — Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge’s Old Mill pairs a working gristmill with a bustling general store, turning heritage into hands-on shopping. Watch the waterwheel and grinding stones in action, then grab labeled bags of freshly ground cornmeal and flour to take home. Shelves brim with house baking mixes, jams, and regional souvenirs that actually get used. The tactile heft of a warm cornmeal bag makes the best souvenir of all. Whether you’re stocking a pantry or gifting a taste of the Smokies, this stop delivers. Arrive early for fewer crowds and the mill’s photogenic morning mist.
Hudson’s General Store & Antiques — Kingsport
Hudson’s anchors downtown Kingsport with a sprawling, multi-floor blend of general store and antiques market. Locals swing by for gift items, old-fashioned candies, and a browse that often turns into a treasure hunt. The restored historic building adds gravitas and community pride, feeling more like a market hall than a souvenir stop. Booths showcase vintage furniture and decor, while shelves offer practical goods and quick treats. It’s easy to lose an hour here discovering something you didn’t know you needed. Bring curiosity—and maybe an extra tote—for the finds that follow you home.