Many Missourians used to take a road trip to an old-time general store in southern Iowa, and there will soon be even more cause to do so, as it is moving to a new location after nearly 40 years there.
Because I grew up in northeast Missouri and my wife is from southeast Iowa, I keep up with what’s going on in both places. My wife noted that her Cantil-based family had mentioned that a well-known old-time general shop was about to open in a new, larger location.
The Dutchman’s Store
Dutchman’s Store relocated from Mount Sterling, Iowa to the Main Street location in Cantril, Iowa in 1985, according to their official website. On September 20, they’ll relocate to this opulent new structure.
The new structure is located at 14999 Highway 2, Cantril, Iowa. They intend to close the original Main Street facility on September 18 and 19 to allow for the move. The new location will have its grand opening on September 20.
If you don’t know where Cantril, Iowa is, it’s only a few miles from the Missouri border, making it an easy trek from anywhere in northeast Missouri.
Why is it named Dutchman’s Store?
According to the website, “the Zimmerman family, coming from Lancaster County PA, speaks a German dialect dubbed “Pennsylvania Dutch.” Clair and Virginia felt it was only natural to call the store “Dutchman’s Store”.
I’m not sure if it was Dutchman’s, but my parents used to enjoy taking road trips from northeast Missouri to old-time general stores like this one, and I doubt they were alone. It appears that people who have always favored general stores will have a new greater option.