The Gibisonville General Store

The Gibisonville General Store is a convenience store in every sense of the word. But you can't buy gas outside, and once inside, you won't see people who are impatient to grab what they need and depart. This is because to be at the Gibisonville General Store is one of the the reasons why you go to the Gibisonville General Store. To take a break from work,  have a cup of coffee or a cold drink, get the scoop on last night's township trustee's meeting, talk sports, or just to come by to enjoy a joke or a story before getting on with the day. The Gibisonville General Store is a place where people gather to share in one another's company, as well as to buy groceries and other supplies. There are plenty of good things on the shelves, but the customers are proprietors Benny and Marilyn O'Hara's most precious commodity.

"We're here," says Benny, "because the people who come in here are amazing!  We always thought that it was the storekeeper who  was supposed to thank the customers and tell them to have a good day, but it's our customers who are always telling us! It doesn't make any difference whether they are 18 years old or 75 years old. Those are the kind of people that you get here. And it's not just our customers, it's everyone around here."

Benny's right. People in this little town are industrious. Homes and farms are neat and well cared for. But the folks from Gibisonville and Laurel Township still seem to have plenty of time to do the things that they enjoy, and to talk about those things. They are a sociable lot, and conversations in the store are never dull. "I've always thought," says Benny," that the major difference between so-called 'famous' people and day-to-day people is just--well--fame.

Ordinary people are no less interesting. You hear some great stories in here on a cold winter day, or on a Sunday morning, when almost everyone in town drops by for coffee and doughnuts. If I were a better writer, I could write a book!"

Benny might not consider himself a great writer, but he can spin a yarn or give you a history lesson about the region, and get all the dates and facts right. Benny and his family have lived in southeastern Ohio for over 160 years. So, when you drop by the store, don't hesitate to ask about the local attractions while he fixes you a sandwich or a box lunch to go. And if you like antiques, you'll definitely want to talk to Benny. He's a veteran of  local antique auctions and has many vintage items in the store.

In fact, the store itself is somewhat of an antique. The building hasn't been modified much since it was built in 1853.There are no walls of chrome and glass or racks of glossy magazines. Instead, you select what you need from the wooden shelves that Benny built, and read the local paper at a lunch counter on stools that have seated at least three generations of patrons.

There's no cappuccino machine or ATM, but the Gibisonville General Store is a comfortable place where you can feel at home and find just about anything else that you need.

In addition to interesting people and great conversation, the store has a full deli, fresh produce, frozen foods, snacks, ice cream, and other dairy products. There is always penny candy, and often homemade goodies such as honey or cookies.

Gibisonville is located on SR - 678 off of SR 180 near many of the region's state parks. The general store is on Market Street, although there are no street signs in Gibisonville. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Sales are cash only.