It should come as no surprise that the oldest city in Louisiana also contains the oldest general store in the state. The Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile has been in business for 155 years, and they’re not slowing down any time soon. From the moment you walk in, you’ll be hit with a wave of nostalgia as you pass by all of the vintage items for sale. Let’s take a closer look at this wonderful general store and why you should visit it.
Established in 1863, the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store is the oldest general store in Louisiana.
tsonloc/Trip Advisor Jewish Prussian immigrants Adolph and Harris Kaffie opened the business after starting a small door-to-door business, where they would sell items like linens, dry goods, pots and pans, and other items to plantation wives. It didn’t take long for the business to take off, and soon they were able to purchase a building to open their store, which was originally located at the corner of Front and Trudeau Street in Natchitoches.
After about ten years, they expanded their business and moved to the location they are still at today.
Kaffie-Frederick General Store/Facebook In 1893, they bought the land for $1,616.29 and built the two-story building that still stands today.
Now run by third generation Fredericks, the building hasn’t changed much over the years.
mamaWarren/Trip Advisor Almost the entire exterior of the building and most of the interior is practically the exact same as it was more than a century ago.
A freight elevator was installed in the 1890s is still in use today.
SAB_012331/Trip Advisor They also still use the same cash register that was purchased in 1917. They just don’t make ’em like they used to!
Today the General store is a perfect blend of old and new.
Traci T./Trip Advisor They continue to sell historical/vintage items, but they also have modern things like gardening tools, kitchenware, jewelry, and more.
You can find Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile at 758 Front St, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.
tsonloc/Trip Advisor
Jewish Prussian immigrants Adolph and Harris Kaffie opened the business after starting a small door-to-door business, where they would sell items like linens, dry goods, pots and pans, and other items to plantation wives. It didn’t take long for the business to take off, and soon they were able to purchase a building to open their store, which was originally located at the corner of Front and Trudeau Street in Natchitoches.
Kaffie-Frederick General Store/Facebook
In 1893, they bought the land for $1,616.29 and built the two-story building that still stands today.
mamaWarren/Trip Advisor
Almost the entire exterior of the building and most of the interior is practically the exact same as it was more than a century ago.
SAB_012331/Trip Advisor
They also still use the same cash register that was purchased in 1917. They just don’t make ’em like they used to!
Traci T./Trip Advisor
They continue to sell historical/vintage items, but they also have modern things like gardening tools, kitchenware, jewelry, and more.
Have you ever been? Let us know in the comments below!
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Address: 758 Front St, Natchitoches, LA 71457, USA
