The Country Store

2 North Main Street
Petersham

 

cstore.JPG (14863 bytes)

The Country Store
Since 1847

Dinners

4:30 to 7:30

Monday

American Chop Suey

Tuesday

Meat Loaf

Wednesday

Pasta Chef Choice

Thursday

Chicken Breast

Friday

1/2 Rack Ribs

Saturday

Chef's Choice

Located on our town common, The Country Store has been the center of village life in this small town for 163 years.

How important is the store to Petersham. Very Important? Not So Important? Not Important At All? Don't Care?

Click here to send an e-mail with your opinion. We'll put it here.

Rick – It’s great to have a person with your immense talent working the kitchen there.  I wish you all the best.  Eric.

Dick Wrote:

Attaboy Rick.  Bring it back and good luck
Love Dick

Hi Rick,
What’s a Country Store without “Common Sense Products”. A former customer of the store called and expressed her deep disappointment that the store no longer carried our “Common Sense Natural Soap and Body Care Products”. These products are very much in demand in this part of the country and perhaps you, as the new proprietors, should consider carrying them. Check us out at www.commonsensefarm.com. We would really appreciate doing business with you. Your customers will appreciate you for it. Thanks for your consideration. If you are at all interested, I would like to send you a catalogue and price sheet. I’m hoping to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Anav & Friends
Common Sense Farm

Diana Canterbury wrote: Greetings! I cannot tell you how happy and grateful I am that the Country Store will soon re-open!

I live about 15 minutes away in Barre. During the last 20 plus years, the Country Store has meant a great deal to me and my family. In a world where McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts have taken over, it is very important to have charming and historical places where people can gather and enjoy the very special ambiance of a small town. Over the years, I have spent countless hours at the Country Store - in the "old" days when Ari ran the food concession, I ate at the Country Store about once a week. I frequently purchased charming and unique gifts, and when my daughter was small, going to the Country Store for penny candy and an ice cream cone was the highlight of our lives in the country. One of my favorite things to do when guests visit is to bring them to the Petersham Common and the Country Store. My friends from the city are always delighted and amazed that such a place still exists.

Regretfully, I don't think that the recent owners understood that the Country Store is much more than just an old building that sells stuff - To me, the Country Store represents community. Those of us who suffer the inconveniences of living in rural areas are hungry for the cozy places where people can congregate. The hours that I have sat by your stove in the winter drinking coffee and having great conversations with dear friends or in the summer enjoying the wonderful sandwiches that used to be made there while sitting on the Petersham Common have enriched my life. Truly, we are lost if the whole world becomes one great big Wal-Mart.

So thank you with all my heart for understanding that the Country Store is a vital part of the community and a powerful symbol of hope that we can keep a sense of history and charm in an increasingly homogenized world. I intend to become one of your most loyal customers!

With sincere appreciation,
Diana Canterbury
Barre, MA

Joseph Sinagra Wrote: It’s very important for that store to survive. The town will not be the same without it. Times are tough but will improve. The store needs to diversify and offer items for a modern world .

Marcia Flynn Wrote: I am happy to hear that the store will remain open and look forward to crossing paths with neighbors and friends (an visitors) on the well-worn floors. Bring back the hot fudge - (maybe Ari will divulge his recipe)!

Country Store Changes Hands, Will Remain Open

Rick Wilkins of 35 Barre Road in Phillipston has leased The Country Store. Wilkins was at the store Saturday waiting on customers and hearing comments from town residents. Wilkins said he plans to restock  the shelves and offer necesary items. He plans to expand the store hours and has already had Dean Cycon of Dean's Beans create a Country Store blend of ccoffee. The slightly dark and aromatic blend is on sale now.

Wilkins said the is bringing back penny candy, and many other convenient items usually found in a country store. H plans to make fresh sandwiches to order again. He carries Petersham Baker breads, Wanda Dixon's eggs and fresh produce from David and Anita Lockesmith's farm stand.

Wilkins has worked in property management and in the food service industry in our area for years, notably catering deep fried turkeys from a pavilion at Red Apple Farm weekend events and at The King Phillip Restaurant. Both are in Phillipston.

If you have a comment about the sale or about the store in general, click here to send us an e-mail and we will post it on the website.

The store first opened in the 1846 and is known as the oldest continuously operating country store in America. During its 163-year-history the store has served as the town's post office. The store has been a gathering place, a tourist attraction, and a place to go meet neighbors and catch up on local happenings.

The second floor was the local Grange hall and later, a private residence.