07/09/2022
CHATHAM GENERAL STORE
Est: 1835 (Built 1854)
Ohio 83
Chatham (Township), Ohio
If there wasn’t a traffic light at the intersection of Ohio 83 & 162 you might pass right through without a blink of the eye. And I was almost guilty of doing the same.
Chatham is one of those little township hamlets that seem to be everywhere on the Ohio landscape. Not much to commend it to the tourist—except ... The Chatham General Store.
I am a genuine general store fanatic. There’s something about them that calls me: “Frank! Frank! Come inside see what we have. Unfortunately, all too often the “General Store” is not so much “general” as kitschy.
Not so, the Chatham General Store. I knew it the moment I heard the satisfying snap of the screen door and feel floor creak under my feet. I could just about buy everything I need here, except maybe a suit or an automobile. But even then, there’s a small haberdashery, along with an ample supply in the rear of the store of basic auto needs. A hunter or fisherman? Visit the section called “Grandpa’s Cabin.”
The Chatham General Store opened during the hey-days of the “Chatham Oil Boom.” (Yes, Ohio had her own oil boom!) Neighboring the store was a blacksmith shop, tin shop, harness shop, millinery shop, tailor, shoe repair store and church. Today only the General Store and church remain.
The Chatham General Store changed hands in 2020 when it was purchased by Bill and Beverly Scandlon. For Bill, the store holds fond memories. When he was a child in the 80’s he would ride his bike to the store to play Pac-Man and buy ice cream. The store still sells hand dipped ice cream. I forgot to look for the Pac-Man.
When the opportunity came along to purchase the store at auction the Scandlons took advantage of it. Upon purchasing the store, thirteen minutes after the auction opened, they started updating inventory and restoring some of the old “departments,” such as the haberdashery and ice cream parlor. They’ll be selling pumpkins at Halloween and Christmas Trees at Christmas. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to buy a live turkey for Thanksgiving.
An antique cash register graces the store, and while it is one of the original National Cash Registers it is not the store’s original register. This one came from the great-great-granddaughter of the gentleman who ran the once neighboring shoe repair store.
We were there early in the morning. Coffee was brewing and there were some pastries to be had. The chalk board listed some delicious sounding lunchtime sandwiches. The store features local goods and local artisans. Beverly herself, is an artist. I do need to mention that store is managed by Beverly’s sister, Cathy.
If you are ever heading along Ohio 83 or 162, stop in and say hello. You will be glad you did. The Chatham General Store can be found on Facebook.
