Ontario is full of history and can be found in almost every nook and cranny, through its cities, towns, villages and hamlets. One of its villages is actually home to Canada’s oldest general store. You can find this antique spot in Sydenham, Ontario. Here’s what to know.

Located just 30 minutes north of Kingston is Sydenham, a small village with a lot of heart.

Part of Frontenac County, it includes four townships, one of them being South Frontenac where you’ll find Sydenham.

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According to Visit Frontenac, the landscape is filled with “gently rolling fields and growing small towns are home to innovative small-scale food producers and ethical, sustainable farms.”

But within all that growth stands one store that has seen its village grow to what it is today.

Sydenham is home to Canada’s oldest general store, according to Visit Frontenac.

Though Pakenham, Ontario has an 1840s General Store & Bakery, which is described as “Canada’s oldest general store to have operated continuously on its original site, in its original stone building,” Trousdale’s General Store, dates back even further.

Ran by the Trousdale family since 1836, “their family legacy began with brothers who worked as travelling bakers, and the family-run tradition continues to this day,” states the site.

Per an article on the website, “the family believes that the first store likely transpired as an extension of serving the community through bakery deliveries with a horse and cart.”

Now, you can find everything from kitchen goods to fashion items, serving as a community one-stop shop.

So if you find yourself in southeastern Ontario and would love to experience the joys of a small village through its historic shop, you know where to go.

Karen Doradea

Karen Doradea

Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Netflix, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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