Take a step back in historic Cross Valley, North Carolina. Located in a historic district, it really is like taking a step back in time.
Store opened in 1883 by Henry Taylor. Part of the warehouse of W.W. Mast in 1897. The store then became known as Taylor and Mast General Store. Sixteen years later, in 1913, Mr. Mast bought the remainder of the general store.
The principal family ran the store continuously for over sixty years. These are the places where you need everything. These items were as simple as coffee, candles, field tools, and even boxes. If some people could not afford to pay what was in no way a problem for the Family House, they were happy to release that “order” to you and were happy to pay when you could. If you have not been able to pay, they will be happy to arrange with you even the trade of several items to pay off your debt to the general treasurer. The General Store also served as a Post Office for the surrounding area.
The Old General Store quickly became a place to meet your neighbors and share stories around the brick fireplace. In August 1940, a flood swept through the area and gave new meaning to the gathering of the residents. Friends and family lost in the storm lost plenty of respect
The store has passed through many hands over the years. W.W. The Mast store passed to his son Howard, who years later passed it on to his son. So who sold the store to an Appalachian State professor and a doctor from the Atlanta area. Around this time, in 1973, the General Store joined the National Historic Register.
The store closed for 3 years in 1977 and was re-opened by John and Faye Cooper. They renovated the store and the post office with the hope of doing what it once was.
One of the best features of the Masti General Store is the Candy Barrel. If you’re longing for candy from your childhood that you thought was no longer there, you can find it at the Candy Barrel. Every type of candy you can imagine is sold here. Buy a coin, a small bag, a big bag, or if you are really trying with desire to make one of the barrels that rests in the candy, you could certainly come up with an old treat for the composition. Granted, maybe it’s not worth buying a barrel, but it would be fun to try at an Old Timey store, or try and trade a barrel of candy for a few chicks!
Eight stores now share the Masti General Store name in one way or another and only two of those stores are outside of the North Carolina area. Two stores are located in the area in Greeneville, South Carolina and Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Master General Store is one of those wonderful places where you always feel welcome, you can always find what you’re looking for, and you can take a piece of history with you.
