Our History
Brown & Hopkins Country Store was founded in 1799 as a hattery and residence by RI local, Timothy Wilmarth. Located in the National Historic District of Chepachet, Rhode Island, our beautiful 2.5 story clapboard building was then sold to Ira Evans in 1809 and became what it still is today…a warm and welcoming general store.
Over the next few years, it went through a variety of different owners and shopkeepers until 1921, when James Brown and William Hopkins became business partners and renamed their store, Brown & Hopkins. Historically known as the oldest, continuously operating store in America, Brown & Hopkins is both a local and national treasure.
In 2024, Glocester, RI natives Cynthia and Scott Barlow purchased the building and business to become the 20th owners of this famous store. Purchasing the store was the fulfilment of Cindy’s lifelong dream since buying penny candy at the counter when she was a little girl growing up in Chepachet.
Gone are the barrels of molasses, long underwear, rifles, suspenders, and the like, but the feeling of community and continuity have survived alongside the perfectly preserved building, counters, shelves, and undulating floors. When visiting Brown & Hopkins, it truly feels like you are stepping back in time, especially when viewing the “wall of history” that features original vintage relics and antiques dating back to the store's first opening.
Nowadays, you will find a mix of the old and new with a curated collection of home décor items, great gifts, candles, delicious gourmet specialties, “unique finds,” and so much more. Lovingly merchandised with our thoughtful displays, it is truly a general store in that there’s something for everyone served alongside our good old-fashioned hospitality. A place steeped in history, and where customer service, cultivating friendships, and providing good products is the cornerstone of our heritage and future. As we like to say, Brown & Hopkins truly embodies the unique ability to, “Shop for the present while embracing the past.”