Seven general stores that will inspire you to move to the country
General stores manage to perfectly combine the appeal of making a treechange and becoming your own boss.
They could ‘generally’ be regarded as popular business investments – the demand for fuel and toilet paper is never going to disappear.
If you’ve felt like upping sticks and moving to the country but weren’t sure how you’d pay for it, here are a few general stores to serve as inspiration.
Chillingham General Store, NSW
Chillingham General Store, NSW. Photo: Supplied
Chillingham General Store has been operating for 95 years, though you might not be able to tell from the fresh paint job. It’s on the market in the range of $830,000-$870,000.
It is a jack-of-all-retail-trades and includes a general store, bottleshop, post office and fuel bowser as well as manager’s residence upstairs with a large outdoor entertaining area.
It’s surrounded by a rainforest and sits on the highway about 40 minutes from the Gold Coast and 15 minutes from the town of Murwillumbah.
“Step back in time” the listings reads, to when families still went on roadtrips, played I-spy in the car and had lunch at the general store rather than at the fast-food restaurant.
Stringer’s Stores, Sorrento, VIC
Stringer’s Stores. Photo: Supplied
Nothing says romantic nostalgia like a sandstone store. On Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula about an hour and a half from Melbourne, this business is now for sale through expressions of interest.
It’s currently an IGA franchise, a cafe and bottle shop and has a commercial kitchen that could be used for catering.
In the popular coastal tourist town of Sorrento, it has lease options for 22 years.
Great Lake Hotel & General Store, TAS
Great Lake Hotel & General Store, Miena, TAS. Photo: Supplied
On the shores of The Great Lake (it is indeed) keen seachangers can now purchase a motel and general store for about $1.2 million.
The business comes with 5 hectares of land, operating as a camping ground and has powered caravan sites.
Full of flycasting visitors during trout fishing season, the hotel has a bar and bistro that caters for up to 110 people, 10 ensuite units and six bunk cabins, as well as a manager’s residence. How’s the serenity?
Walker Flat General Store, SA
Walker Flat General Store, Walker Flat, SA. Photo: Supplied
Opposite the Murray River in Walker Flat is the ‘multi-award winning’ Walker Flat General Store, which also incorporates a postal service and bottle shop.
The store has taken home gongs for excellence in customer service, and a 2015 Australian Business Quality Award.
The business is for sale for $250,000 + SAV and the adjoining house for $495,000.
Elleker General Store, WA
Elleker General Store, Albany, WA. Photo: Supplied
The Elleker General Store isn’t your average roadside fuel station – it has a tavern attached that’s open 7 days a week and features live music.
Near several big surf breaks on the WA coast and 15 kilometres from the bigger town of Albany, the store is being sold freehold for $1.4 million – WIWO.
It’s also zoned for “special use”, which would allow holiday accommodation to be developed on the 1.9-hectare site.
According to the listing it’s been voted by Radio West listeners as having the best burgers in Albany.
Barellan General Store, NSW
Barellan General Store, Barellan, NSW. Photo: Supplied
In the Riverina town of Barellan, which has a population of about 400 and is the hometown of Yvonne Goolagong and her massive memorial tennis racket, the general store is now for sale by tender.
According to the listing, the business comes brimming with approximately $25,000 of stock, which would be available at cost price to the purchaser.
The store reopened under new owners in 2012, after it had closed and left the town without a grocery store for a year.
Murdunna General Store, TAS
Murdunna General Store, Murdunna, TAS. Photo: Supplied
With its two-tone paint job this store is pretty unmissable on the Arthur Highway in Murdunna, Tasmania.
It’s on the market for $750,000 – $795,000 and has 252 square metres of retail space and a renovated house with a matching blue roof.
About an hour from Hobart, the store has been run by the same family for 25 years.
According to the listing it is “renowned for its fresh oysters and homemade scallop pies” and, as with all coastal locations, it sells fishing gear.
