WASHINGTON: America's oldest general store, opened one year before George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the US, has shut down after serving the community for 224 years.
Gray's Store in the small village of Adamsville in Rhode Island opened in 1788, selling penny candy, cigars and a small selection of groceries , as well as antiques and collectible knickknacks . Since 1879, the business has been owned by the Waite family.
A large crowd gathered outside the store on Sunday morning to say goodbye to the business on its final day of operation, heraldnews-. com reported. The 21-yearold journalism student Jonah Waite inherited the shop after his father, Grayton Waite died of cancer last month at the age of 59. Jonah is not interested in running the family business and decided to close up shop.
"My dad knew it wasn't something I intended to take over and operate. His intention was to sell it in the next couple of years and fully retire . He didn't have time to do that," heraldnews.com quoted Jonah as saying.
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
