Middleville's Historic General Store
The General Store was built by Hampton Andress in 1837 and operated by four generations of his family until the 20th century. During these years, the hamlet was known as Centreville and the General Store was a staple of the community. The town boasted a hotel, a blacksmith shop, a one room schoolhouse, and roughly eight dwellings. In addition to serving as a gathering place, the store also served as the town's post office — which amazingly operates to this day.
A 20th Century Institution
In 1914, Victor Robbins bought the store and became town's Postmaster. At this time, the NJ Industrial Directory described the hamlet as follows:
"The village is situated in a very picturesque part of Sussex County, and the climate is perfectly healthful. The entire region is devoted to farming and dairying. City visitors come to this region...during the summer months to enjoy its bracing and health-giving air."
For the better part of 100 years, the Robbins family served present-day Middleville and its community in the same manner thousands of other general stores served America's communities in the 20th century. This was a period when rural America turned to general stores for everything: buying food, procuring farm supplies, sending and receiving mail, or just staying abreast of local affairs.
In the photo below, you will see kids pressed against the old penny candy display at Robbins’ Store. The candy was a memorable summer highlight for the Girl Scouts who hiked over from Camp Lou Henry Hoover with their troops.
Rebuilding a Township staple
From the midcentury onward, general stores regrettably were replaced by department stores, wholesale clubs, and supermarkets; commerce became less local.
Today, rural America's general stores are largely architectural skeletons reminiscent of a distant past, yet from them we take inspiration: They represent a time when business was more local, people came together, and rural communities flourished.
Fortunately, there is a bright future ahead for this rural institution in Middleville.
Drawing on the community and building's history, we are investing in much needed upgrades to ensure the store again becomes a pillar for Middleville and the surrounding area for years to come.
When complete, we will be roasting coffee, sharing delicious food, and hosting a year-round market to buy local farm goods.
And meanwhile, the US Post Office remains open — like it's been for nearly 200 years.
