The Store is Ready for You!
An in-depth look at HHI’s mission
This is part four of a seven-part series that explores Historic Harrisville's core programs—preservation, affordable housing, conservation, green energy, the HHI Archives, and the Harrisville General Store.
The Harrisville General Store offers a wide variety of items year-round, from the ordinary to the unique. Now at the height of the holiday gift-giving season, the HGS has you covered. From newly released books and local artisan crafts to the kitchen’s many culinary delights, you’ll find just the right thing for that special someone. Below are some “favorite things” from the store employees, Historic Harrisville, town employees, and store regulars.
Laura Carden, store manager: My favorite THING about the store: watching and listening to people talk, laugh, meet :), and the positive energy. My favorite THINGS in the store: Enstrom toffee, regional wine, local eggs, Yalla Hummus, Honey Mama’s tahini tangerine chocolate, Fire Dog pastries on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Fire Dog Nordic loaves.
Teresa, store staff: I love hearing from happy costumers, HOW MUCH THEY ENJOY OUR DELICIOUS FOOD 🤤.
Maddy, store staff: Seeing families, the little ones, and knowing that you can’t go in the store without seeing someone you know. Plus, the store’s always toasty.
Anne Havill, town treasurer and store committee member, and her husband Tom: We LOVE Teresa’s Peruvian rice … a weekly purchase for us!! The friendly service makes every visit great!!
Cathy Lovas, town clerk: My favorite thing from the Harrisville General Store is Teresa’s Peruvian Fried Rice! More than that, however, my favorite thing about the General Store is the sense of Community there, like “Cheers” it’s a place where everyone knows your name. The staff is so helpful, warm, and inviting and there is always a friend or two in line or sitting at a table to have a chat or share a smile with.
Erin Hammerstedt, HHI executive director: I love to have friends over, but I don't always plan ahead. It is great to be able to stop on the way home from work to grab a bottle of chilled wine and some snacks so that I can entertain anytime.
Michelle Aldredge, HHI board chair: My favorite things about the Harrisville General Store...perusing the incredibly curated selection of books in the new Book Nook, buying local eggs, eating M'Lue's key lime pie, and sharing a beer with friends at the end of a long day.
Kathy Bollerud, HHI trustee: My favorite thing is you can always find whatever you need at the Harrisville Store.
Apple Hill String Quartet: Our favorite thing is to perform at the store and afterwards, eating a breakfast sandwich - we love the smell of bacon cooking for our sandwiches while we are playing!
Lenny, HHI trustee and store committee: My favorite things are Mrs. Russell’s potato print greeting cards (her slogan is “Keep Snail Mail Alive”) and the Kale Salad!
General Store
by Rachel Field
Someday I'm going to have a store
With a tinkly bell hung over the door,
With real glass cases and counters wide
And drawers all spilly with things inside.
There'll be a little of everything:
Bolts of calico; balls of string;
Jars of peppermint; tins of tea;
Pots and kettles; and crockery;
Seeds in packets; scissors bright;
Kegs of sugar, brown and white;
Sarsaparilla for picnic lunches,
Bananas and rubber boots in bunches.
I'll fix the window and dust each shelf,
And take the money in all myself,
It will be my store and I will say:
“What can I do for you today!”
The poem above speaks of a place many can only dream of. We are so lucky to have a real general store in Harrisville today!
Support the General Store!
We hope you will donate to HHI’s annual appeal in support of the Harrisville General Store.
Let’s talk about historic preservation – the heart of Historic Harrisville’s mission-driven work. Generally speaking, the term "historic preservation" includes four possible “treatments” for historic properties. Rehabilitation and preservation are actively used in Harrisville, while restoration and reconstruction are less common.