Five-and-dime stores once filled American Main Streets with penny candy, affordable toys, sewing supplies, and just about anything a family needed. Most disappeared decades ago, but a surprising number are still in business.
Some have been operating for more than a century. One Pennsylvania store still has a soda fountain, a Branson shop carries more than 250,000 items, and a New York favorite spreads across four connected buildings.
These 14 surviving stores offer something big discount chains rarely can: a chance to shop the way Americans did generations ago. Several still have their original fixtures, family traditions, and the unusual merchandise that made five-and-dimes so memorable.
1. Vidler’s 5 & 10 , East Aurora, New York
Over 75,000 different items fill this store, so bring patience and maybe a snack. Vidler’s opened in 1930 and is now run by the third generation of the Vidler family.
The shop sprawls across two levels and four connected 19th-century buildings. Original wooden floors and big open counters keep the old-school look intact.
Shelves hold nostalgic candy, classic toys, kitchen gadgets, crafts, jewelry, candles, and seasonal decor. Christmas ornaments are sold all year, and a popcorn machine still charges just 10 cents.
Spotting the building is easy. Look for the red and white awning, gingerbread trim, hand-painted gold leaf signs, and the famous “Vidler on the Roof” figure perched up top.
East Aurora’s red brick Main Street sits right outside, with restaurants within walking distance. Plan at least an hour inside, because families often lose track of time here.
Locals call it the “everything store,” and that nickname is well earned.
2. Berdine’s 5 & Dime, Harrisville, West Virginia
Back in 1908, a shop called Hunt and Berdines started selling goods in Harrisville. Today it holds the title of West Virginia’s oldest five-and-dime.
The store moved in 1915 to a building made just for this kind of business. That white clapboard structure still stands in the Harrisville Historic District.
Inside, an original candy counter, oak floors, wooden shelves, and pressed-tin ceilings remain. The Six family has owned the place since 1983 and worked hard to restore its early look.
A vintage scale still weighs penny candy. Shoppers find chocolate-covered walnuts, orange slices, tin toys, paper dolls, jack-in-the-boxes, and Czech glass ornaments.
The quirky stuff steals the show. Bobbleheads of Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain sit near shaving soap, mason jars, and kerosene lamp parts.
Staff members actually encourage you to pick things up and play. Visitors often describe the shop as a giant leap back in time, and it’s hard to argue.
3. Sine’s 5 & 10 Cent Store, Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Breakfast, lunch, and a milkshake, all served next to the yarn aisle. Sine’s soda fountain makes shopping here a full meal deal.
Howard B. Sine opened the store in 1912.
It moved to its current spot in 1926 and grew in 1932, and the fifth generation of the family now helps run it.
Look up and you’ll see model airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Letterman jackets dangle overhead in one section, and old photos and postcards cover the walls.
A miniature train runs through the store during the Christmas season. The Christmas room, however, stays open all year.
The merchandise list is wonderfully random. Sewing notions, felt, dowels, tricycles, styrofoam balls, measuring cups, hardware, and house numbers share space with candy and garden supplies.
Outside, bright red tiles and brushed aluminum letters mark the entrance. Time your visit for lunch so you can grab a stool after browsing.
4. Northville 5 & 10, Northville, New York
Fifteen kinds of homemade fudge are made right on site, and the staff hands out samples. That alone justifies the drive.
The business began in 1907 as R.G. DeWitt and Co.
General Store. Its current building went up between 1912 and 1914.
History took some turns along the way. The store merged with the J.J.
Newberry Company in 1931 and was renamed “The Northville 5-10-25” in 1997.
Pay attention to the floor. The original hardwood boards are inlaid with stars and embedded coins, making this possibly the only place where staring at your feet counts as sightseeing.
More than 250 types of penny and novelty candy line the shelves. Camping supplies, hardware, books, toys, and Lake Sacandaga souvenirs round things out.
Find it by the red and white striped awning and red and yellow sign. Prices stay low, and it’s a smart stop before heading into the Adirondacks.
5. Dick’s 5 & 10, Branson, Missouri
Quick question: how long would it take to look at 250,000 items? Shoppers at Dick’s 5 & 10 try to find out every day.
Dick Hartley opened the store in 1961 with just 1,500 square feet. He learned the trade working for the S.S.
Kresge Company.
Today the shop covers 10,000 square feet, and the second generation of the Hartley family runs it. Inventory is still tracked without computers.
The century-old building has hand-built counters and fixtures about 60 years old. Model trains travel on tracks above the aisles.
Beyond candy, toys, and yarn, the store hosts real collections. Look for an arrowhead collection, signed WWII aviation prints, a Baseball Wall of Fame, old cap guns, and washing machines from 1900 to 1940.
Don’t skip the “Fun Aisle.” Downtown Branson has plenty of shows, but plenty of families consider a visit here part of the essential Branson experience.
6. The Original Ben Franklin 5 & 10 Store, Lavallette, New Jersey
“You forgot it, we got it.” Few store slogans are as useful at the beach as this one.
The family-owned shop has served the Jersey Shore since 1948. Over the years it grew to fill the entire building, and owners Jamie Lee and Jason Buckle now carry on the family tradition.
Around 35,000 items wait inside. Beach chairs, umbrellas, suntan lotion, and sand toys sit near towels, blinds, kitchen tools, and cleaning supplies.
Need a spare key for the rental house? The store makes keys too.
Nautical home decor and souvenirs add a vacation flavor. Stationery, hardware, and housewares cover the practical side.
Bring the dog along, since the store welcomes pups inside. Many families stop here every summer, and some have done so for generations.
Stop in on day one of your trip. You’ll likely discover the thing you forgot to pack, plus a beach toy nobody asked for.
7. Winter Harbor 5 & 10, Winter Harbor, Maine
Acadia National Park draws millions of visitors, yet most never reach the Schoodic Peninsula. Those who do will find Winter Harbor 5 & 10 waiting on Main Street.
The storefront is compact, but the shelves work hard. Puzzles, greeting cards, seasonal decorations, and everyday supplies all fit inside.
Maine souvenirs are a big draw here. They make easy gifts without the inflated prices you might see in busier tourist towns.
The shop skips the polished boutique style. Instead, it offers the plain, practical setup of a classic small-town variety store.
Travelers often stop in for something simple, like batteries or a card. They tend to leave with a puzzle for the rainy afternoon too.
Pair your visit with a drive along the Schoodic loop road. The quieter crowds in this part of the park make the whole day feel relaxed.
Shopping local here also supports a year-round community. That matters in a seasonal coastal town.
8. A. Schwab, Memphis, Tennessee
“If you can’t find it at Schwab’s, you’re probably better off without it.” That motto has guided this Beale Street shop for generations.
Abraham Schwab, an immigrant from Alsace, opened the business in 1876. It’s the only original business still running on Beale Street.
The store moved to 163 Beale around 1911 and expanded next door in 1924. The family sold it in 2011, and the new owners work to protect its history.
Wooden floors, glass cases, and a tin ceiling fill the space. A soda fountain with a 50-foot marble counter arrived in 2013.
The inventory is gloriously odd. Over 100 kinds of suspenders, huge overalls, washboards, kazoos, harmonicas, cast iron skillets, and blues records all share the floor.
The family started a Beale Street Museum inside in 1974. Plan time upstairs, then grab a treat at the counter before heading out to hear live music.
9. National 5 & 10, Newark, Delaware
Delaware has exactly one five-and-dime left, and college students keep it busy. National 5 & 10 proudly calls itself the state’s last remaining one.
The Handloff family has owned the business since 1911. It has stood at its current Main Street address since 1931.
A cheerful red front with brushed stainless letters makes it easy to spot. The University of Delaware sits just steps away.
Blue Hens fans will find plenty of team clothing and souvenirs. Students stock up on school supplies and party decorations.
The shop also sells a wide range of “Delawareabilia,” which means Delaware-themed goods. State-shaped magnets are a cheap and popular grab.
Practical needs are covered too. Hardware, household items, plastic toys, and key cutting are all available.
Visiting during a campus event or homecoming weekend? Stop in early, because the place fills with alumni hunting for gear and a little nostalgia.
10. Emery’s 5 & 10, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
A young Dolly Parton once bought makeup at the original Emery’s store in Sevierville. That’s quite a claim to fame for a variety shop.
Ron Emery’s grandfather started the family business in 1927. The store later moved to The Island entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge, and Ron still helps run it daily.
Black and white photos of the old Sevierville shop hang on the walls. Some fixtures from about 50 years ago are still in use.
Candy fans can hunt for brands popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The bottled soda selection includes unusual flavors that are hard to find elsewhere.
Many toys and games here are no longer mass produced. Much of the stock comes from other family-owned businesses around the country.
Admission to The Island is free, so stopping in costs nothing but time. Seasonal displays change often, giving repeat visitors something new to spot.
11. Mooney’s Ben Franklin, East Tawas, Michigan
World War II was still going when Mooney’s Ben Franklin opened in 1944. The family business has been serving East Tawas ever since.
Find it on Newman Street in the walkable downtown. Lake Huron’s shoreline is close by, which makes the store an easy add-on to a beach day.
The shelves cover a lot of ground. Craft supplies, art supplies, puzzles, toys, and gifts share space with hardware and housewares.
Sporting goods are here too. That’s handy if someone forgot a fishing item or a ball for the park.
Souvenirs celebrating the Lake Huron coast make good keepsakes. They tend to feel more local than generic gift shop fare.
Shoppers love that the store sells a little bit of everything. It feels like the downtown variety shops many grandparents remember.
Plan a stroll through town afterward. East Tawas has a pleasant harbor area, and a puzzle from Mooney’s suits a cozy cabin evening.
12. Ben Franklin 5 & 10, Bethel, Ohio
Crafters, take note. Bethel’s Ben Franklin might be the best reason to visit this small Ohio town.
The store keeps the old five-and-dime formula going strong. Its focus leans heavily on making things by hand.
Fabric bolts and sewing supplies fill one area. Hobby materials, including model-making kits and parts, fill another.
A custom framing department adds something most discount chains don’t offer. Bring in a photo, a diploma, or a finished cross-stitch, and staff can help frame it.
Colorful candy breaks up the craft aisles. Kids tend to find it fast, so plan your budget accordingly.
Small, unusual gifts are scattered throughout the shelves. They’re perfect for birthdays or last-minute thank-you presents.
Call ahead if you need framing done by a certain date. Then give yourself time to browse, because supplies for your next project are probably waiting a few aisles over.
13. G & M Variety, Rockville, Indiana
No fancy vintage props are needed here. G & M Variety earns its spot through good old-fashioned usefulness.
The store sits on Rockville’s historic town square. Parke County, home to dozens of covered bridges, surrounds the town.
Shelves carry household supplies, toys, puzzles, and craft projects. Seasonal decorations rotate as holidays come and go.
Everyday needs are well covered too. Locals stop by for small items they would otherwise drive much farther to buy.
Part of the fun is the surprise factor. You might come in for tape and leave with a jigsaw puzzle and a craft kit.
Visitors touring the covered bridges will find it a handy place to stock up. Snacks, small toys for the car ride, and supplies can all be found in one stop.
Rockville gets especially busy during the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival each October. Shop early in the day if you visit then.
14. Ben Franklin, Ironwood, Michigan
Our trip ends far north, in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula. Ironwood’s Ben Franklin keeps a classic retail name alive on East Aurora Street.
Fun coincidence alert. Our list began in East Aurora, New York, and now closes on East Aurora Street.
The store blends traditional craft supplies with practical goods. Clothing, gifts, and home decorations are also part of the mix.
Regional souvenirs celebrate the Gogebic Range. This area has a long mining history and a string of small historic towns.
Locals rely on the store for everyday items. Travelers stop in for keepsakes and anything they need for the road.
Winters here bring heavy snow, and the region draws skiers and outdoor fans. A quick stop for warm extras or a craft project for a snowy evening makes sense.
Spend time exploring downtown Ironwood afterward. Its older buildings and small shops pair nicely with this long-running variety store.
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