(content by Alex S)
Many Americans have grown up hearing about 5 and 10 stores, also known as five and dimes. However, because these types of stores are not very commonplace today, many don’t actually know what a 5 and 10 actually is.
The idea of the 5 and 10 still lives on, even if we call these stores by a different name today. Essentially, these retailers were the early versions of “dollar stores.” They sold a wide range of household and personal items at affordable prices.
For the most part, the five and dime is a thing of the past. However, there are some exceptions. A few old-school 5 and 10 establishments still exist. While their prices may have risen a little more than slightly over the years due to inflation, visiting them if you’re ever in the area of one can offer you a unique glimpse into America’s past.
Classic five and dimes that you can visit today include the following:
Northville 5 & 10
If its website is to be believed, the Northville 5 & 10 (located, fittingly, in Northville, NY) is the oldest 5 and 10 store in the nation that’s still in operation. The original location opened in 1907, and the business has been operating from its current location since 1914.
You may want to pay this spot a visit while touring other noteworthy New York State attractions. Northville is just a short drive from Lake George, Saratoga Springs, and Albany.
Sine’s 5 & 10 Cent Store
This old-fashioned 5 and 10 is located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The store advertises itself as being so old-fashioned it still has an operating soda fountain, a relic of an earlier time.
Quakertown is also located approximately midway between two major Pennsylvania cities: Philadelphia and Allentown. If you’re making your way through the state’s major attractions and landmarks, you could take a quick trip to the past by stopping by this quaint five and dime during your travels.
National 5 & 10
This is a unique example of a 5 and 10 shop. It’s located in Newark, Delaware, and has been owned by the same family since 1911.
However, it’s a five and dime that has adapted to serve the needs of a more modern customer without sacrificing its classic charm. While it still offers visitors a chance to have an experience that’s extremely rare in our age, the shop has also remained in business partially by taking advantage of its proximity to the University of Delaware by selling college-branded apparel and other such items. Additionally, it serves as a hardware store.
Luckily, because college towns tend to be relatively tourist-friendly, Newark is also home to such attractions as the Newark History Museum and the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens. The city is almost immediately between Philadelphia and Baltimore as well.
These are just a few options to consider if you wish to check out a few 5 and 10s during your travels. These stores may not be as easy to find as they once were, but that certainly doesn’t mean they’ve gone away entirely. These examples are proof.
