Walking into The General Store in Tallulah Falls is like stepping back in time. A time when sodas were in glass bottles and toys were powered by a child’s imagination. But this is more than just manufactured nostalgia.

The General Store’s ambiance is genuine. Owner Mary Beth Hughes has been a shop owner in Tallulah Falls for well over a quarter-century. Originally the proprietor of the Tallulah Point Overlook on the Scenic Loop since 1994, Mary Beth was forced to relocate in 2020 when the building’s owner wanted it back for their own use.

Her new location? The old general store on Main Street, built by the same man who built the original Overlook building (J.E. Harvey) and now owned by his grandson, Rev. James Turpen of Tallulah Falls Methodist Church. “We took the entire Overlook concept and transferred it to the General Store,” Mary Beth notes. “It’s the coolest space. When you walk in, you get the real sense that this place has been here for a while. It has everything but the view of the gorge.”

The store’s tagline: “A little bit of everything and a lot you will remember!” definitely applies. There are reproduction tin toys, nostalgic gifts and souvenirs, mountain playthings, regional books and hiking guides, candles, jewelry, cabin accessories, knives, and much more. The focus is on a wonderful assortment of locally made items.

Being true to the original roots of the new location, Mary Beth now offers more traditional “general store” fare such as milk, eggs, bread, pantry staples, firewood, toiletries, and other necessities. This includes local goods such as Skyeburgers, a Rabun County-produced vegetarian burger; organic produce from Taterville Farms in Turnerville; fresh roasted coffee beans from Blue Ridge Roasting Company in Clarkesville, plus much more.

“We’re offering the traveling public a place they can visit and go ‘Wow!’ when they walk in the door,” Mary Beth adds. “It’s not only a step back in time, we look forward to becoming an important part of the local community.” As a nostalgic take on the modern convenience store, The General Store is there to serve. Online shopping and curbside pickup are available as well.

“While shopping and enjoying the ambience, grab an RC and a Moon Pie, or one of our specialty sodas in a glass bottle, or a refreshing ice cream cone or a King of Pops!,” Mary Beth proclaims. “Out on the porch, relax in our ever popular rocking chairs, and see what community members of this small mountain town have been enjoying for years!”