General store closes after 224 years in business

George Washington hadn't yet taken his oath of office when Gray's Store opened its doors in 1788. Today, the market that's been nestled in Adamsville, R.I., since before Rhode Island was even a state, is shutting its doors after 224 years. Jonah Waite inherited the business from his grandfather, and he says that while it was a tough choice to make, keeping what it is thought to be America’s oldest general store just wasn’t sustainable. The shop has a rich history: In the 1900s, Waite’s great-grandfather ran a gristmill from the store. Today, it has an old marble soda fountain and still sells penny candy and Rhode Island Johnny cakes. Farewell-wishers have been dropping by all week to say goodbye, and we wish we could have, too. [Source]