Welcome
to the Hardwick General Store
The Hardwick General Store was established
and has been in operation since 1896 and
is located on Route 32A in the historic
Hardwick Center. The first owner, Herbert
Emmons, who had served as Hardwick's postmaster
since 1892, constructed the building in
1896 on a lot in the center of town he
purchased from Frazier Paige. Mr. Emmons
expanded the building in 1900 to accommodate
the post office. Beginning in 1897, he
operated the local office of the Barre
Domestic and Custom Laundry from an office
in the back of the store. In 1921, Mr.
Emmons sold the store to Harry Bingham,
who owned the store for 25 years until
1946. Mr. Bingham later sold the store
to Lorenzo Blackmer in 1948. Mr. Blackmer
then sold the store to Wayne and Ruth Goddard
who ran the store and also served as postmaster
of the post office for over 25 years. The
Goddard family still reside in Hardwick
and are very active in the town. Mr. McLean
purchased the store after the Goddards
retired and later sold the store to Marion
Cooper. Marion ran the general store for
several years in the 1990s and has made
many updates and renovations.
The
current owners, Bill and Wendy Westman purchased
the store in 2004 and are now utilizing
the 2 upper floors for additional seating
to overlook the tranquil setting of the
town common. We carry a full line of antiques,
beads, candy, gifts and much more!! The
store is located near the entrance to Gate
43 of the 150,000 acre Quabbin Reservoir.
We carry a full line of fishing tackle,
poles and bait for those avid fisherman.
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