Some grocery runs end in a parking lot with a cart. These ones end on gravel roads, mountain highways, and riverside porches. Across Arkansas, Amish and Mennonite markets and old country stores stock things the big chain stores often skip, like raw milk, bulk spices, homemade baked goods, and made-to-order sandwiches.
A few have been serving travelers for well over a century. This list takes you from the northwest corner of the state to the Ouachita hills, with stops for pantry restocking, lunch, and ice cream. Check the hours before you go, because several of these places keep short weekly schedules and close on days when you might expect them to be open.
1. Eagle Corner Amish Market, Gentry, AR
Saturday morning is the time to aim for here, since the market opens at 8 AM and closes at 4 PM. Friday hours run 9 AM to 6 PM, and the store is closed the rest of the week.
Eagle Corner Amish Market is Amish owned and operated, and it works as a farmers market store on S Pleasant Valley Road in Gentry. The shelves carry locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, and natural foods. Jams and jellies, farm fresh eggs, and raw cow and goat milk and cream are part of the regular lineup.
There is also handmade furniture and a range of crafts, so a quick grocery stop can turn into a look at things you did not plan to buy. It is set up for a quick visit rather than a long afternoon.
Go early if you have your heart set on a particular baked item. Popular goods like banana bread tend to disappear before the day wraps up, though the rest of the selection usually holds up well into Saturday.
2. Pine creek general store, Salem, AR
Bring a big list and a few empty bags, because this Fulton County store is built for stocking up. Pine creek general store sits on AR-395 in Salem and carries meat, vegetables, cheese, and bulk supplies.
The aisles go beyond groceries. Spices, canning equipment, and non-electric stoves share space with Amish mushroom popcorn, cheeses, canned jellies and jams, salsa, pickles, and garlic.
Pet and farm owners get something out of the trip too. The store stocks dog food, feed for several kinds of animals, and fencing.
Plan around the schedule. Doors are open 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and the store is closed on Thursday and Sunday.
3. Cedar Ridge Country Cupboard, Berryville, AR
Getting here means turning off the main road and following County Road 708 into the Ozark hills outside Berryville. The gravel stretch is part of the adventure, and it leads to a discount grocery with an Amish and Mennonite connection.
Cedar Ridge Country Cupboard focuses on farm fresh eggs, homemade baked goods, and a deli. The deli is a draw for shoppers who want lunch meat and cheese at lower prices than the usual supermarket counter.
It is a straightforward grocery stop, which is part of the appeal. You can fill a bag, check the baked goods, and be back on the road quickly.
The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and closed Sunday and Monday. Phone ahead at 870-438-5742 if you want to confirm hours before the drive.
4. Oark General Store, Oark, AR
Oark likes to joke that it is in the middle of nowhere, and the general store is the reason people go anyway. Opened in 1890, it is described as the oldest continuously operated grocery store in the Natural State.
Inside, the store keeps its old wood look, with a gift shop and a long history of stocking everyday goods. Older shelves have been known to hold salt in surprising quantities, from boxes to cattle blocks.
It is also a real place to eat. Menu highlights include the Bacon Cheeseburger, the Chicken Club, and Pecan Pie, plus breakfast, coffee, and homemade pies.
Dogs are allowed outside, and the outdoor dining pavilion makes that easy. A kids’ menu and high chairs help with families, and there is free parking.
Hours are 8 AM to 4 PM Wednesday through Monday, with Tuesday closed. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time, and reservations are not accepted.
5. Dalton Country Market, Pocahontas, AR
Sandwiches on homemade bread give this market a head start. Dalton Country Market in northeast Arkansas is an old-fashioned country market with a deli, bulk foods, baked goods, and produce.
It is known as a Mennonite store, and the shelves cover a lot of ground. Bulk foods make it useful for pantry restocking, while the produce section is one of its stronger points.
Located on Township Road outside Pocahontas, it sits in farm country not far from the Eleven Point River area. That makes it an easy add-on to a drive through the region.
The market is open Wednesday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. It is closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
6. Gilbert General Store, Gilbert, AR
Few grocery stops come with a river nearby. Gilbert General Store stands in one of the smallest incorporated towns in Arkansas, right by the Buffalo River, and has been around since 1901.
It doubles as a Buffalo River outfitter, with canoe and kayak rentals and cabin lodging. Floaters can walk up from the water to restock on snacks, drinks, fire starting material, and ice.
The soda fountain makes it a good ice cream break. Supplies are on hand for travelers who need a few basics before heading back out.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM. Phone 870-439-2888 for details on rentals.
7. Hollis Country Store, Plainview, AR
Fried bologna sandwiches have made this roadside stop famous. Hollis Country Store sits on AR 7 in Plainview, in the Ouachita National Forest area, and it blends a gas station with an old-fashioned country store.
Shelves hold groceries along with fishing and hunting supplies. The store also offers diesel, propane exchange, an ATM, and restrooms, which helps on a long highway drive.
Bologna and ham sandwiches are the food draw. The owners are also known for sharing the family history behind the store if you ask.
Hours are short, so check ahead. It opens Thursday and Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and is closed the other days. Free parking is available.
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