Historical Photos of American Stores from the Late 19th Century

During the 19th century, it was challenging to keep perishable food fresh. People would go shopping every day and buy small amounts of groceries. In the 19th century, there were no supermarkets but small shops of various kinds. The stores were open six days a week and stayed open until the last customer left in the evening.

The poor often bought from street vendors because they were cheaper than the stores. They would often purchase from markets or street sellers since they were cheaper than shops.

Discover what 19th-century American stores looked like with these amazing vintage photos.

#1 Exterior of Hardie & Darling store and auctioneer store, 1860s

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#2 Exterior of J.S. Lytle & Son’s horse furnishing goods store, 1870s

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#3 People outside of general store, New York, 1870s

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#4 People outside of tinware store, New York, 1870s

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#5 Three women outside general store, 1870s

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#6 Exterior of F.W. Eaton & Co. Hay, Grain, & Coal store, 1880s

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#7 Interior of James Heaney’s grocery store, 1880s

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#8 Man and woman outside tobacconist shop, 1880s

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#9 Man outside dress and cloak making shop, Gloversville, New York, 1880s

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#10 Men and boys outside Adam Wachter’s Meat Market, 1880s

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#11 People outside grocery store, Washington St., Boston, MA, 1880s

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#12 People outside Locher’s Drug Store, Philadelphia, PA, 1880s

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#13 Three men outside of F.W. Eaton & Co. Hay, Grain, & Coal store, 1880s

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#14 Two men outside corner general store, 1880s

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#15 Two men outside grocery store, 1880s

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#16 Two men outside grocery store, 1880s

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#17 Two men outside storefront, 2336 Broadway, New York, 1880s

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#18 Two women outside store selling Horton’s ice cream, 352 Pleasant St., New York, 1880s

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#19 Butcher standing outside Otto Hoffmann Adirondack Market, 1890s

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#20 Exterior of tinware store, Boston, MA, 1890s

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#21 Interior of a shoe store, 1890s

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#22 Interior of hardware store, 1890s

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#23 Interior of Herman Lemp’s jewelry and watch store, 1890s

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#24 Man standing outside Working People’s Bargain Store, New York, 1890s

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#25 People outside Adam Wachter’s Meat Market, New York, 1880s

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#26 People outside grocery store, 1890s

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#27 Three men at counter of grocery store, 1890s

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#28 Two men outside haberdashery, 1890s

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