>>> I LIKE TO SAY GREENE COUNTY HAS A LOT OF CHARM.

>> IT'S SO NICE DOWN HERE.

>> WE'RE SORT OF THE LITTLE HIDDEN GEM OF PENNSYLVANIA.

>> A HIDDEN GEM, WHERE IT'S NOT TOO DIFFICULT TO TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME.

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE PAPERWORK DATING BACK TO 1871.

>> IT'S MORE THAN A BUSINESS IT'S A PART OF GREENE COUNTY HISTORY.

>> IT IS THE GENERAL STORE.

AND IF YOU THINK IT'S A THING OF THE PAST, YOU'RE WRONG -- GENERAL STORES ARE STILL THRIVING HERE.

IN FACT, GREENE COUNTY HAS SO MANY GENERAL STORES -- MORE THAN A DOZEN OF THEM -- THAT IT OFFERS A SELF GUIDED DRIVING TOUR.

WE PAID A VISIT TO JUST A FEW.

AND FROM THE BASICS -- >> THEY DEPEND ON US TO BE HERE FOR A GALLON OF MILK OR LOAF OF BREAD.

>> TO THE UNUSUAL.

>> WE SELL SUMP PUMPS, THAT'S KIND OF ODD.

>> YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND.

BUT IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT THE MERCHANDISE, IT'S ABOUT THE STORIES OF THE STORE OWNERS.

>> IT'S JUST THE ROOTS OF THE FAMILY.

>> THE CHARACTERS WHO CLAMOR.

>> THE BENCH IS PRIME TERRITORY YOU HAVE TO GET HERE EARLY TO GET THE BENCH.

>> AND THE UNEXPECTED THINGS THAT MAKE EACH STORE UNIQUE.

>> PEOPLE LOOK UP AND SAY OH MY GOD WHERE DID THAT TURKEY COME FROM.

>> YOU'LL FIND OUT, IF YOU JOIN US FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR AS WE VISIT GENERAL STORES OF GREENE COUNTY.

>> WE BEGIN JUST OFF OF INTERSTATE 79 IN RUFF CREEK WHERE EARLY MORNINGS MEAN MORE THAN JUST COFFEE'S BREWING.

>> WE COME HERE WITH RAYMOND EVERY MORNING.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU COME HERE?

>> WE FIX THE COFFEE SIT DOWN AND TELL LIES.

>> INSIDE THE RUFF CREEK GENERAL STORE, AMID THE CANNED GOODS AND CLEANING SUPPLIES, PIG EARS AND PIGEON CHOW, YOU'LL FIND CONVERSATION AND SO MUCH MORE.

AS OWNER RAYMOND STOCKDALE EXPLAINS, THIS IS A STORE WITH QUITE A DISTINCTION.

>> I CONTEND IT TO BE THE OLDEST ACTIVE GENERAL STORE IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.

ON THE CALDWELL ATLAS OF GREENE COUNTY IT LISTS THE BUSINESS AND THAT WAS IN 1875.

>> AND IT'S BEEN UP AND OPERATING NON-STOP EVER SINCE.

RAYMOND'S FAMILY DIDN'T OWN IT BACK THEN.

THE STORE WAS FIRST OPENED BY A MAN NAMED BENJAMIN SHIRK -- WHO LATER GAVE THE STORE TO HIS TWO SONS, WHO LATER SOLD IT TO ANOTHER MAN.

RAYMOND'S DAD, JACK BOUGHT THE STORE IN 1959.

>> WHEN MY FATHER CAME BACK FROM WORLD WAR TWO, HE WENT INTO A CLERK TRAINING PROGRAM AS PART OF THE G-I BILL WHICH THE STORE WAS PART OF IT.

SO HE CAME TO WORK IN 1951.

WE LIVED UPSTAIRS.

I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD.

HE WORKED HERE AND IN 1959 HE BOUGHT THE BUSINESS.

>> RAYMOND GREW UP WORKING IN THE STORE, THEN WENT ONTO COLLEGE AND TO WORK FOR QUAKER STATE OIL.

BUT WHEN HIS FATHER BECAME ILL, HE DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE.

>> I WAS GONE ABOUT TEN YEARS, HE DEVELOPED CANCER IN THE EARLY 70S AND EVENTUALLY CALLED ME AND SAID IF I WAS INTERESTED IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE A MOVE, MAKE A DECISION SO WE DID.

WE CAME BACK.

I WANTED TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH HIM NEVER THINKING 40 YEARS LATER I'D STILL BE HERE.

>> YOU WERE HOW OLD WHEN YOU TOOK OVER THIS STORE?

>> I WAS 28, I WAS 28.

I WAS YOUNG AND DUMB.

>> BUT RAYMOND WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.

AND EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, THERE ARE REMINDERS OF THE DAYS GONE BY -- FROM THE ORIGINAL COUNTER -- >> PROBABLY 100 YEARS OLD OR OLDER AN 8 FOOT SLAB OF MARBLE ON TOP OF IT.

>> TO OLD CRATES, SIGNS AND MORE.

>> THESE ITEMS RIGHT HERE THEY'RE BUGGY WHIPS.

>> THEY'RE WHAT?

>> BUGGY WHIPS FOR WHEN THEY HAD HORSES.

>> RAYMOND LOVES THESE THINGS OF THE PAST BUT HE AND HIS WIFE KAREN HAVE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE AS THEY'VE RE-TOOLED AND EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS.

>> GASOLINE IS A VERY BIG BUSINESS FOR US.

>> THESE DAYS, FEED IS TOO.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, RAYMOND ADDED ON THIS ROOM.

>> WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM BASIC RABBIT FEED, CHICKEN FEED, HORSE FEED, TTLE FEED.

>> HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS?

>> THIS IS ABOUT TWO WEEKS.

>> THAT'S NOT TO SAY THERE ISN'T PLENTY OF FOOD FOR PEOPLE.

KATHY SCHALLER WORKS THE DELI COUNTER.

IT DOES WELL TOO.

>> AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST SELLERS HERE?

>> THE SAUSAGE.

THE BREAKFAST SAUSAGE RUNS OUT OF HERE ALL DAY LONG.

I PROBABLY GO THROUGH A GOOD 75 A DAY.

>> WOW, SO YOU'RE THAT BUSY.

>> OH YES, OH YES.

>> LOCALS?

>> WELL LOCALS.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THE PIPE LINERS AND THE WELL GUYS COMING IN.

>> WHICH HELPS WHEN IT COMES TO ANOTHER TOP SELLER -- BOOTS!

>> WHEN DID YOU START SELLING BOOTS?

>> WE'VE SOLD BOOTS FOREVER.

IN AUGUST, I PUT OUT MAYBE 600-700 PAIR OF BOOTS FROM ROCKY AND WOLVERINE.

>> BUT THEY'RE JUST NOT ANYWHERE IN THE STORE, THEY'RE RIGHT NEXT TO THE DELI CASE.

>> SO GUYS ARE WALKING UP AND STANDING THERE WAITING ON THEIR ORDER AND THEY SEE THE BOOTS.

I TRIED THEM OVER HERE ON THIS SIDE AND THEY'RE LIKE HIDDEN THEY DON'T SELL WELL.

IT'S AN IMPULSE ITEM.

I TREAT IT LIKE AN IMPULSE ITEM.

>> HOW DO YOU DO WITH THAT?

>> WE DO REALLY WELL.

>> BUT DOING WELL FOR RAYMOND ALSO MEANS ENJOYING HIS CUSTOMERS.

AS THE DAYS MOVES ON, PEOPLE ON THE BENCH COME AND GO.

THE CONVERSATION CHANGES BUT THERE'S JUST ONE RULE.

>> LOCAL POLITICS WE TRY TO KEEP OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE EVERYONE GETS A LITTLE WORKED UP ABOUT THAT NATIONAL POLITICS WE TALK ABOUT.

>> DO YOU GET IN ON THE CONVERSATION?

>> SOMETIMES I THROW MY TWO CENTS IN YEAH.

YOU GOT TO.

>> WHAT WOULD THIS COMMUNITY BE LIKE IF THIS PLACE WEREN'T HERE?

>> IT'D BE TERRIBLE.

THERE WOULD BE NO GATHERING PLACE, YOU KNOW.

>> THERE'S NO OTHER PLACE AROUND HERE TO GATHER?

>> NO.

NOT HERE.

YOU BLINK YOUR EYES YOU'VE JUST SEEN TOWN.

>> WHICH MAKES THIS PLACE MORE THAN JUST A STORE.

IT MAKES IT A COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S BEEN AN ON-GOING FOCAL POINT.

YOU HAVE TO ENJOY PEOPLE IF YOU'RE GONNA BE IN BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF ESPECIALLY IN A COUNTY GENERAL STORE.

THESE PEOPLE ARE A PART OF MY FAMILY.

>> MENTION FAMILY, AND THE NEXT PLACE TO VISIT IS JORDAN'S GENERAL STORE IN ALEPPO -- SO FAR OUT, THERE'S NO CELL SERVICE HERE.

>> BUT YOU WILL FIND SISTERS TERRI AND BONNI JORDAN LIVING OUT A REAL LIFE GREEN ACRES OF SORTS.

>> ORIGINALLY WE ARE FROM PITTSBURGH.

WE ARE FROM THE SOUTH HILLS SECTION OF PITTSBURGH, CARRICK.

>> SO HOW IN THE WORLD DID THEY END UP HERE?

IT WAS THE IDEA AND THE DREAM OF THEIR LATE FATHER, LOUIS.

>> OLDEST SISTER MOVED DOWN HERE WITH MY NIECE AND NEPHEW AND MY BROTHER IN LAW.

WE WOULD COME DOWN EVERY WEEKEND, EVERY OTHER WEEKEND TO SEE MY SISTER.

AND THIS CAME UP FOR SALE AND HE SAID GIRLS WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO MOVE TO THE COUNTRY WITH ME AND OPEN OUR OWN STORE AND WORK AND THAT WAS IT.

THAT'S ALL IT TOOK AND WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR 22 YEARS NOW.

>> IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS QUITE AN ADJUSTMENT.

>> AT THE TIME, IT WAS LIKE GOD'S COUNTRY.

BUT YOU ADAPT.

>> THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T LIKE THAT MUCH DOWN HERE WAS TV.

WHEN WE MOVED HERE YOU HAD TWO CHANNELS AND THEY WERE NOT VERY GOOD.

>> THE SISTERS HAD A FEW QUIRKS OF THEIR OWN THAT KEPT THE LOCALS LAUGHING.

>> NEITHER BONNI OR I COULD DRIVE WHICH JUST BLEW THEIR MINDS DOWN HERE.

BECAUSE I WAS 28 WHEN WE MOVED HERE.

AND IN THE CITY, YOU EITHER WALKED OR YOU JUST JUMPED ON A BUS.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE.

AND THEY JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE BUT I LEARNED BUT I DON'T DRIVE ANYMORE.

I JUST DON'T LIKE IT.

>> BUT THE SISTERS NOW LOVE LIVING HERE AND OWNING AND OPERATING THIS STORE - A STORE THAT'S BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE THE EARLY 1920s ONCE HOUSING A POOL HALL AND THE POST OFFICE.

>> WHOEVER OWNED THE STORE WAS THE POST MASTER AT THE TIME.

AND THEN AS IT EXCHANGED HANDS, DIFFERENT PEOPLE BECAME THE POST MASTER.

AND I'M NOT SURE WHEN THEY MOVED THE POST OFFICE OUT.

BUT WHEN THE POST MASTER MOVED, SHE TOOK THE POST OFFICE WITH HER BUT IT'S ONLY A FEW DOORS DOWN.

>> THE MAIL MAY BE GONE BUT THE TOWN'S MEMORIES REMAIN HERE.

>> THIS IS THE ALEPPO CHURCH.

IT'S RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THE JORDAN'S HAVE BECOME PART TIME HISTORIANS -- KEEPING AND DISPLAYING OLD PHOTOS, MEMORABILIA AND MORE.

>> ON TOP OF THE SHELVES THEY'RE ALL OLD BOTTLES PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE PLOWING THE FIELDS OR CLEANING OUT THEIR BASEMENTS AND THAT THEY'LL FIND THEM THEY'LL BRING THEM AND SAY DO YOU WANT TO PUT THEM OUT?

PICTURES PEOPLE FIND OF ALEPPO BACK IN THE DAY.

WOULD YOU PUT THEM OUT?

>> THE GREATEST HISTORY LESSONS COME BY WORD OF MOUTH.

>> PEOPLE DOWN HERE THEY'LL COME IN AND SIT DOWN AND THEY'LL TELL YOU STORIES OF HOW IT WAS BACK WHEN THESE ROADS WERE DIRT.

ALL THE ROADS WERE DIRT.

YOU TRAVELED HERE BY HORSEBACK.

>> ENTER 85-YEAR OLD JOHN WATSON, WHO VISITS THE STORE EVERY DAY -- EARNING HIM A SPECIAL TITLE.

>> SO WHY DO THEY CALL YOU THE MAYOR?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THE MAYOR I GUESS.

I TELL THEM I'M THE MAYOR BECAUSE I'M AROUND ALL OF THE TIME.

>> IF SOMEONE COMES IN AND ASKS A QUESTION IF JOHN DOESN'T KNOW IT, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN HERE.

>> BUT PLENTY DOES.

WITH THE BACKDROP OF ORIGINAL GAS LAMPS HANGING FROM THE ORIGINAL TIN CEILING, THERE'S A LOT TO STOCK AND SELL.

>> WE JUST KEEP GENERAL STUFF, GENERAL MOTOR OIL, GENERAL TRANSMISSION FLUID, CHAIN SAW OIL.

WE NEED THAT OF COURSE.

>> HORSE FEED, COW FEED, CHICKEN FEED.

A LOT OF ANIMAL FEED AND IF I DON'T HAVE IT IN AND YOU WANT IT, I'LL GET IT IN.

>> ALL WITH STORE HOURS, THAT AREN'T QUITE OFFICIAL.

TERRI LIVES DOWN THE ROAD.

BONNI LIVES UPSTAIRS WHICH SOMETIMES MEANS THEY'RE OPEN 24-HOURS.

>> SOMETIMES YOU HAVE EMERGENCIES PEOPLE WILL CALL, HEY MY KIDS SICK CAN I GET OR ANYTHING.

IF I DON'T HAVE IT DOWN HERE BUT I HAVE IT IN MY PRIVATE STOCK.

HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S YOURS.

>> IN THE END, THE SISTERS SAY IT'S THE SOCIALIZING THEY ENJOY MOST.

A CALENDAR HANGS BEHIND THE COUNTER - MARKING THE BIRTHDAYS OF EVERYONE IN TOWN -- A TOWN THAT'S GONE FROM BEING UNFAMILIAR TO THE ONLY PLACE THEY WANT TO CALL HOME.

>> I LIKE IT.

I LIKE IT.

>> I HAVE HORSE RUSTLED SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

I'VE CATTLE RUSTLED.

THE ONLY THING I HAVEN'T CHASED IS PIGS.

>> IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THEM TO ACCEPT YOU BUT ONCE THEY DO, YOU'RE IN AND IT IS SO NICE.

WOULD I TRADE IT?

NO NOT THAT, NOT NONE OF MY CUSTOMERS, WELL MAYBE A FEW.

>> FROM THOSE WHO MOVED TO GREENE COUNTY -- TO THOSE WHO WERE BORN HERE.

>> I GREW UP IN THIS AREA JUST A FEW MILES FROM HERE.

>> OUR NEXT STOP IS IN GRAYSVILLE, AT THE GRAYSVILLE GENERAL STORE -- WHERE NEARLY A DECADE AGO, OWNER DAVE CIPOLETTI RE-OPENED THE DOORS TO A BUSINESS THAT FIRST STARTED BACK IN 1871.

>> IT WAS FOUNDED BY A MAN NAMED JAMES W. HAYES WHO ACTUALLY WENT ON TO BECOME A STATE SENATOR.

IT'S A BIG OLD BUILDING AND IT'S CHANGED NAMES A NUMBER OF TIMES.

>> DAVE USED TO FREQUENT THIS STORE AS A KID.

IT WAS CALLED LIVINGGOOD'S BACK THEN.

LITTLE DID HE KNOW HE'D ONE DAY BE THE OWNER.

>> MY BROTHER APPROACHED ME ABOUT IT.

THE STORE WAS ACTUALLY CLOSED DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> SO WITH THE HELP OF HIS BROTHER, CHRISTOPHER, DAVE DECIDED TO GIVE IT A GO -- BRINGING IN TOUCHES OF THE PAST.

>> WHEN I WAS A KID AND SHOPPED HERE THERE WAS A DEER HEAD THAT HUNG ON THE WALL THAT THE OWNERS HAD AND THEY ALWAYS DRESSED IT UP.

PUT FUNNY GLASSES ON IT.

OR A TIE OR A TOP HAT.

>> THE BROTHERS DECIDED TO HANG A NEW DEER ON WALL BUT NEVER EXPECTED WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

>> AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW SOMEONE APPROACHED ME AND SAID I HAVE THIS BEAR THAT MY WIFE WON'T LET ME HANG IN MY LIVING ROOM CAN I BRING IT DOWN?

DO YOU WANT TO DISPLAY IT HERE?

AND I SAID YEAH, AND IT JUST SNOWBALLED FROM THERE.

>> SNOWBALLED INTO A STORE NOW FILLED WITH ANIMAL MOUNTS OF ALL KINDS -- FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD!

THERE ARE DUCKS, CARIBOU, A FLYING TURKEY.

THERE'S EVEN A ZEBRA FROM A LOCAL HUNTER'S EXPEDITION IN AFRICA.

FL AND THEN - THERE'S THE GIANT ELK!

>> THERE IS NOTHING SMALL ABOUT THIS.

>> THAT IS A LARGE AND IN CHARGE ELK FROM NEW MEXICO.

>> DO THEY EVERY FREAK YOU OUT?

>> YEAH THE ELK AT FIRST.

WHEN I WOULD COME IN TO OPEN UP IN THE MORNING QUARTER AFTER FIVE AND IT'S ALL DARK AND YOU OPEN UP THE DOOR AND THERE IT IS IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET USED TO IT.

>> AMID ALL THE MOUNTS, THERE'S A LONE STUFFED TOY - GIVEN TO DAVE BY A YOUNG CUSTOMER.

>> ONE DAY HE CAME IN WITH HIS MOM AND HAD THIS STUFF BEAR AND HIS MOM SAID DANNY WANTS YOU TO DISPLAY THIS BEAR.

THIS IS HIS MOUNT THAT HE GOT.

AND I SAID SURE.

I WAS GLAD TO TAKE IT SO WE PUT IT UP ON DISPLAY.

>> THE ANIMALS ARE A BIG DRAW BUT THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY THING TO BRING IN CUSTOMERS.

HERE, THE COAL MINES AND THE MARCELLUS SHALE BOOM MEAN BIG BUSINESS.

>> WE HAVE ANYTHING THAT CATERS TO THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY BASICALLY.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

GLOVES.

SAFETY WEAR.

COAL MINER FIGURINES, HATS THAT SAY COAL MINER.

>> AND THEN THERE'S THE FOOD.

>> WE SELL A TON OF PIZZAS, HOT SUBS.

WE CATER TO THE COAL MINES AND THE DRILLERS WHO ARE IN THE AREA.

WE DELIVER TO THEM AT THEIR TRAINING CENTERS THAT THEY HAVE TRAINING CLASSES.

WE CATER A LOT OF LUNCHES FOR THEM.

YOU KNOW, AND EVEN IF GUYS GET STUCK UNDERGROUND AND HAVE TO WORK OVER, SHIFT CHANGES, THEY'LL CALL, AND ORDER PIZZAS TO FEED A GROUP OF GUYS, THEY DEFINITELY KEEP US ON OUR TOES.

>> THE MINES AND MARCELLUS SHALE HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT OTHER CHANGES TOO.

>> WE HAD TO UPDATE OUR POINT OF SALE EQUIPMENT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE SOME OF THE CORPORATE FUEL CARDS.

BUT THAT'S BEEN A HUGE BOOST.

>> BUT ALL OF THE PROGRESS DOESN'T MEAN THE STORE'S LOST ALL OF ITS OLD TIME CHARM.

YOU'LL STILL FIND THINGS LIKE OLD CASH REGISTERS, OLD SIGNS AND -- >> THE FLOORS, ORIGINAL?

>> I BELIEVE THEY'RE ORIGINAL.

I POSED THAT QUESTION TO ONE OF THE ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A MINUTE AND HIS REPLY WAS WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY THESE WERE OLD WOODEN FLOORS THEN SO THAT'S ABOUT ALL HE COULD TELL ME.

AS FAR AS I KNOW THEY'RE ORIGINAL FLOORS.

>> FLOORS THAT HAVE MOST LIKELY BEEN HERE FOR 140 YEARS.

TODAY, THEY HOLD NEW PRODUCTS UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF THE ANIMALS.

DAVE COULDN'T HAVE IMAGINED IT AS A YOUNG BOY -- NOW HE CAN'T ENVISION IT ANY OTHER WAY.

>> NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I DREAM I WOULD BE STANDING RIGHT HERE DOING THIS NOW.

I WAS YOUNG ENOUGH AT THE TIME TO GIVE IT A SHOT AND ITS WORKED OUT WELL.

>> IT'S ALSO WORKED OUT WELL FOR THE STORE OWNERS WE VISIT NEXT -- IN A TOWN WHO'S NAME IS ROOTED IN THE BIBLE.

>> WHERE GOD SENT JONAH TO TALK TO THE WICKED PEOPLE.

THE WHALE STORY THAT'S NINEVEH.

>> IT'S A TINY PLACE WITH LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE -- AND PROBABLY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM VISITS HOPKINS STORE.

>> EVERYONE CALLS IT A MOM AND POP THING I GUESS.

IT'S JUST A LITTLE CONVENIENCE STORE.

WE HAVE A BIT OF MOST ITEMS THAT PEOPLE WOULD WANT IN BETWEEN TRIPS TO A BIGGER GROCERY STORE.

>> DOTTY HOPKINS AND HER HUSBAND SAM -- THAT'S HIM THERE -- HE'S A LITTLE CAMERA SHY -- HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER PRACTICALLY THEIR WHOLE LIVES.

>> OUR FAMILIES WERE FRIENDS WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP.

>> DOTTY EVEN WORKED HERE WHILE IN SCHOOL.

WHAT SHE MAYBE DIDN'T KNOW, IS THAT ONE DAY SHE AND SAM WOULD OWN IT.

>> SAM'S DAD BOUGHT IT IN 1946 AND THEY RAN IT FOR YEARS.

HE RETIRED IN THE EARLY '80s AND SOMEHOW WE GOT BACK IN HERE AND SO WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR 25 YEARS.

>> THERE ARE ITEMS FROM THE PAST ON SHELVES ABOVE THE STORE.

>> THAT WAS AN OLD COFFEE GRINDER.

>> AND A CHEST IN THE CORNER KEEPS OLD PICTURES.

BUT THESE DAYS, IT'S ALL ABOUT KEEPING CURRENT WHICH HAS MEANT SOME CHANGES.

>> WE HAVE THE SANDWICH SHOP.

AN ATM MACHINE AND THE LOTTERY.

CAPPUCCINO.

>> YOU HAVE CAPPUCCINO?

>> IN DOWNTOWN NINEVEH WE HAVE CAPPUCCINO.

>> DO YOU SELL A LOT OF CAPPUCCINO?

>> NOT A LOT, NO.

I DRINK IT.

>> BUT THE REGULAR COFFEE AND SPECIALTY SANDWICHES GO LIKE GANG BUSTERS -- SOMETHING DOTTY ATTRIBUTES TO HER SON GREG.

HE'S A RETIRED ARENA FOOTBALL CHAMPION WHO'S GIVEN HIS PARENTS LOTS OF IDEAS ON HOW TO IMPROVE BUSINESS.

>> I'M MAKING A NUMBER 5.

A FOG HORN.

MY SON CAME UP WITH THESE NAMES IT'S A CHICKEN SO HE CALLS IT FOGHORN.

A LOT OF THESE ITEMS WERE OUR SON'S IDEA HE CAME UP WITH THE SANDWICHES, THE DIFFERENT MENUS AND HAND DIPPED ICE CREAM.

THE ROLLER GRILL.

WE'VE HAD BAILEY MINE HERE, SO WE'VE HAD COAL MINERS FOR YEARS.

NOW WITH THE MARCELLUS SHALE MINING, WE HAVE A LOT OF THE MINERS, DRILLERS, PIPELINE WORKERS THAT ARE STOPPING TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.

>> THAT MEANS LUNCH TIME IS A BUSY TIME FOR EVERYONE IN THE STORE.

LOTS OF LOCALS VISIT TOO - AND RECENTLY DOTTY AND SAM HAVE MET LOTS OF CUSTOMERS JUST OUT FOR A DRIVE.

>> THIS IS THE PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL STORES DRIVING TOUR EDITION.

>> GREENE COUNTY'S GENERAL STORES WERE PROFILED IN "PENNSYLVANIA" MAGAZINE LAST YEAR -- BRINGING LOTS OF TOURISTS TO THE AREA.

>> I ASKED EVERYONE THAT WAS IN TO SIGN THE PAGE I STARTED OF WHERE THEY WERE FROM.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHERE PEOPLE WERE COMING FROM TO DOWNTOWN NINEVEH.

>> LANCASTER, MECHANICSBURG, ERIE, BEAVER FALLS, PORT ROYAL, QUAKER TOWN.

MOST OF THEM COUPLES OUT FOR A DRIVE.

>> THE VISITORS NO DOUBT SAW THE STORE'S WALL OF FAME OF SORTS.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PROUD TO SEE THEIR PICTURES ON DISPLAY.

>> SOME ARE SCHOOL PICTURES AND SOME ARE SENIOR PICTURES AND SOME OF THEM ARE CUT OFF CHRISTMAS CARDS.

>> SOME OF THEIR TROPHIES AND AWARDS ALSO HAVE A PLACE OF HONOR -- IT'S PART OF WHAT KEEPS THIS COMMUNITY CLOSE.NI >> I THINK IT'S HELPED EVERYONE CONNECT EVEN MORE.

A LOT OF THE SAME FAMILIES HAVE LIVED HER FOR YEARS.

JUST A PLACE TO CHECK IN AND ASK ABOUT EACH OTHER.

>> CHECK IN AT OUR FINAL STOP -- STOKES' GENERAL MERCHANDISING IN WIND RIDGE -- AND WE CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU'LL SMILE.

>> THERE YOU'LL FIND OWNERS ADAM AND DIANE STOKES AND THE REAL STARS OF THE STORE -- THEIR DAUGHTERS.

6-YEAR-OLD ISABELLA IS IN SCHOOL ON THE DAY WE VISIT.

BUT 4-YEAR-OLD EMILY ANN AND 18-MONTH OLD SARAH ARE HAVING A BALL.

>> DO YOU WORK IN THE STORE?

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU COME IN THE STORE?

>> EAT!

>> THAT'S FUN EXCEPT WHEN THEY CRY.

SARAH FUSSES A LOT BUT SHE'S A WEE LITTLE BABY.

BUT THEY PLAY IN THE AISLES AND EVERYTHING AND THEN WHEN THEY WANT SOMETHING WE DO THINGS IN BETWEEN CUSTOMERS.

>> ADAM KNOWS FIRST HAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A KID HERE.

HERE HE IS AS A LITTLE BOY AND HERE'S HIS SISTER, CRISTIN.

THE STORE'S BEEN IN THEIR FAMILY SINCE THE 1890'S.

HIS LATE PARENTS TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS IN 1973.

>> THERE'S MY MOM THERE'S MY DAD.

THEY WENT FROM GETTING MARRIED TO BUYING THE STORE WITH A COUPLE OF MONTHS IN BETWEEN.

THEY SAID IT WAS THEIR FIRST BABY.

THEY HAVE STORIES ABOUT ME RUNNING AROUND AND TEARING UP THE STORE.

>> THESE DAYS, ADAM'S STILL RUNNING AROUND -- ONLY IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> I DO A LITTLE OF THIS AND A LITTLE OF THAT.

>> AND A WHOLE LOT OF EVERYTHING ELSE.

THERE'S PAPERWORK, TAKING CARE OF CUSTOMERS AND TAKING STOCK OF THE MERCHANDISE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE KITCHEN SINK WE HAVE EVERY THING TO HOOK IT UP.

>> BUT STOKES' IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS FRESH FRUIT, FRESH FOOD AND BAKED GOODS.

ADAM STUDIED CULINARY ARTS IN SCHOOL.

NOW HE AND DIANE COOK UP A STORM.

>> WE MAKE HOME MADE MEATLOAF WHICH WAS ADAM'S MOM'S RECIPE, TURKEY SALAD, HAM SALAD PEPPERONI ROLLS, THE BREAD'S FROM SCRATCH, PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE, CHOCOLATE FUDGE, WHITE CHOCOLATE FUDGE WITH PECANS, PUMPKIN ROLLS, NO BAKES, BROWNIES, ALL OF THAT IS FROM SCRATCH.

>> AND WE MAKE WEDDING CAKES.

WE'VE TAKEN WEDDING CAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE GATEWAY CLIPPER IN PITTSBURGH.

>> AND WHERE AND HOW DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO DO THIS?

>> SOMETIMES WE DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS OFF SO NO ONE KNOWS WERE HERE.

>> ADAM'S SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW COVER THE MORNING SHIFT.

AND ALL HANDS ON DECK ARE NEEDED.

STOKES' ALSO OFFERS COMPUTER REPAIR AND NOTARY SERVICES.

>> YOU CAN COME IN HERE AND GET A LICENSE PLATE WHICH IS HANDY BECAUSE WEST VIRGINIA IS SEVEN MILES THIS WAY AND THAT WAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE BUY A CAR OUT OF STATE AND THEY NEED A PLACE TO GO TO GET IT ALL NOTARIZED AND TITLED AND EVERYTHING AND WE CAN DO ALL OF THAT.

>> THESE MODERN SERVICES ARE BALANCED BY A TRADITION OF THE PAST -- THE CREDIT DRAWER'S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE'S CREDIT BOOKS EACH PERSON GETS THEIR OWN LITTLE TABLET AND THEY CAN COME IN AND SAY HEY I NEED SOMETHING AND WE JOT IT IN THE TABLET AND THEY PAY IT EVERY WEEK OR EVERY MONTH HOW EVER OFTEN THEY GET PAID.

AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY PEOPLE THIS IS THEIR LIFELINE, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY PEOPLE IT'S GREAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER THEIR WALLET.

WE HAVE A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THESE.

THESE ARE THE ACTIVE ONES AND WE HAVE A BOX UNDERNEATH FOR PEOPLE NOT USING THEM NOW.

>> IT'S JUST ANOTHER REASON CUSTOMERS LIKE JUANITA RILEY APPRECIATE THIS STORE.

BUT SHE'S QUICK TO TELL YOU, SHE REALLY COMES FOR THE COMPANY.

>> GUARANTEE, I'LL TELL MY HUSBAND I HAVE TO GO TO STOKES AND GET SOMETHING AND I'M LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'LL BE BACK AND HE'S LIKE OKAY.

AND I MIGHT COME IN AND POP IN AND OUT ONE TIME OR I MAY BE HERE FOR AN HOUR JUST CHATTING AND TALKING OR PLAYING WITH THE KIDS.

THEY'RE HILARIOUS, THEY'RE HILARIOUS.

>> SO WOULD YOU TRADE THIS FOR ANYTHING?

>> NO, NOT REALLY.

>> WHY?

>> I GET TO BE WITH MY KIDS ALL DAY.

I'M RAISING THEM.

MY HUSBAND'S RAISING THEM.

THERE'S A LOT OF LOCAL PEOPLE WHO I'VE BECOME FRIENDS WITH WHICH IS REALLY NICE.

>> AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HEARD IN ALL THE PLACES WE VISITED.

TOURISM DIRECTOR ELIZABETH MENHART SAYS IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ATMOSPHERE.

>> THE PACE OF GREENE COUNTY IS DEFINITELY VERY LAID BACK.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY, YOU CAN KIND OF GET AWAY.

WE'RE AN HOUR'S DRIVE AWAY, SO YOU CAN TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME.

>> A STEP BACK IN TIME THAT CELEBRATES A TRADITION OF THE PAST.

SURE EACH GENERAL STORE IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A BUSINESS.

>> I START EVERY DAY ABOUT QUARTER AFTER 5:00.

>> 7:00 IN THE MORNING TO 7:00 AT NIGHT.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT LIVING IN THE CITY I'D BE HAULING FEED AROUND.

>> AND SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

>> WE CAN'T CARRY EVERYTHING THAT THEY DID BACK IN THE GLORY DAYS.

BUT WE TRY TO CARRY EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN THAT WE CAN FIT IN THE STORE.

>> BUT ONE THING HAS STAYED THE SAME.

>> IF YOU DIDN'T COME HERE EVERY DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> WELL, THAT'S A HARD QUESTION.

THAT'S A HARD QUESTION I NEVER MISS A MORNING.

>> IN THE END, GENERAL STORES ARE ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

FROM THOSE WHO OWN AND WORK IN THEM.

>> I KIND OF HAD THE GENERAL STORE URGE IN MY BLOOD.

>> TO THOSE WHO SHOP AND GATHER HERE.

>>I MATT.

MATT LIVES ACROSS THE STREET.

HE'S HERE MORE THAN I AM.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS TIME IN A GENERAL STORE TO STOP, SAY HELLO AND HEAR WHAT'S NEW.

>> THEY'LL SIT DOWN AND THEY'LL TELL YOU ANYTHING IT'S GREAT.

>> PEOPLE JUST NEED A PLACE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER.

>> THEY'RE REALLY THE GLUE THAT HOLD A COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

♪♪