Then

This was the Bay City General Store "back in the olden days" as I used to say as a kid. Now it seems strange when I hear kids today say that. You should see them take a look at a rotary dial telephone........they go huh? How does that work? I love it when they buy a "little bottle Coke" from the old 7-Up cooler. In order to keep with nostalgia, Coca-Cola didn't make the bottle caps twist off. They have to be opened with a bottle opener -- kids today do not know what that is and they look at me like I've fallen from another planet. Then you start talking about taking pop bottles back to the store to get money for the picture show and they just shake their heads and mutter something about "back in the olden days" and walk out texting on their blackberries. And us folks from the olden days wonder why blackberries aren't just for cobblers anymore?
We've tried to keep many facets of the old Bay City General Store alive -- same old gravity flow gas pump, same old worn oak counters, same old yardstick used to measure many yards of calico, same pot belly stove that warmed many a fingers and toes back in the olden days, the old grocery store shelves have stood the test of time and many of the friends and neighbors who shopped at the store back in the olden days have also stood the test of time and still shop in the Bay City General Store of now.

Now

Although we don't carry the same merchandise as Mr. and Mrs. Weeks, we still offer the same personalized service, a friendly smile, a free cup of coffee and we'll even help you carry your packages out to the car. Stop by and see us -- we're getting our fall goodies out and marking down the summer and garden merchandise.

You Shoulda Been Here...

and you would have seen this view from your balcony. For some reason this photo makes me think of Scotland (never been to Scotland so don't have a clue why I think that) or if I close my eyes I can hear Heathcliff looking for Kathy in the moors. But no, this is western Kentucky right across the Ohio River from the Bay City General Store and Hotel. And all I hear when I close my eyes is birds singing and an occasional fish jumping. No traffic, no horns, no sirens, no lawn mowers...........just total peace and quiet.

Can't you picture yourselves here with your hot cup of coffee, sitting in the swing on the balcony, nowhere to rush off to, a good book to read and the sounds of birds singing in the background? Looking across the river to the moors of Kentucky...........well that's a stretch, but not this morning. Give us a call at 618/683-4305 to reserve your slice of peace and quiet or check us out at www.baycitystoreandlodgingohioriver.com I know, it's a long name but it doesn't leave much doubt about what we are.

Morning Mist

A Shopping Experience

Retail experts tell us that shoppers are looking for " an experience" when they venture out today, filling their cars with $4.00 a gallon gas. I don't need an expert to tell me that -- common sense tells me that and long before gas was $4.00 a gallon. The Bay City General Store is a shopping experience -- heck it can just be a browsing experience -- we don't charge for browsing but buying is strongly encouraged. Our goal is to make you feel welcome, make you feel like you are at home (although don't try putting your feet on our antique furniture, unless of course you intend to buy it). And every day is different at the Bay City General Store but always friendly, always old-fashioned and always just plain old good fun. Like the day the parking lot filled up with these old cars............bound to be a story or two shared over a cold soda or hot cup of coffee in that bunch. Stop by the next time you're pumping $4.00 a gallon gas in your "jalopy" and share your story. We promise you a shopping experience.

Me and My RC

A favorite Bay City General Store experience is to grab an icy cold RC from the old 7-Up cooler in the back, pair that up with the old southern favorite Moon Pie and now you're talking. Grab one of the 1920's ledger books off the antique thread cabinet and sit down for a stroll down memory lane. You will hear comments like "Look, here's Granny Beulah Fern's account and she bought 3 yards of calico for 25 cents." Or "that's my Papa Willie Joe and I bet that candy he bought was for my mom." And from there the memories of the good old days start to flow and whether or not your family shopped at the Bay City General Store you probably have a happy memory of some old store and that icy cold soda that your Granny or Papa bought for you.

By the way I shouldn't even tell you this because it's probably illegal -- but if you pop that Moon Pie in the microwave for just a few seconds and let that chocolatey, marshmallowy (is that even a word) gooieness get all melty -- around here we call it Heaven on a Plate. Stop in -- we'll fix one for you. You don't get that at the big box stores!

The Bay City General Store Experience

How many times have you walked into one of the big box retailers and they call you by name, ask how you are and really want to know and then invite you to sit down and have a cup of gourmet coffee, on the house???????????? That's the experience you'll have at the Bay City General Store. Unless of course it's a blazing hot afternoon in August and then we'll probably offer you an icy cold glass of lemonade or iced tea. Because that's just the kind of store we are -- a store that makes you feel good and makes your visit a pleasant old fashioned experience.
The coffee pot is on.......come on in! Can't you just smell those freshly ground beans now coming right out of the big red antique Enterprise coffee grinder?