The Story of The Store at Five Corners
The Store at Five Corners is located at the junction of two ancient trails (now Routes 7 and 43), a crossroads for food, commerce and community. Dating back to the 1760s, the Store was one of the oldest businesses in the United States – serving as a tavern, meeting house, inn, post office, general store and café – until a prior owner closed the doors in 2020. The building was then placed at serious risk of neglect and demolition.
In 2021, over 300 community members generously contributed funds to rescue the property, ensuring that this beloved local gathering spot would be preserved. Locals also formed a new 501(c)(3) organization, The Store at Five Corners Stewardship Association, to purchase, revive, and maintain the Store.
The mission of The Store at Five Corners Stewardship Association is: to own, protect, preserve, improve, enhance, renovate, and maintain the historic property known as The Store at Five Corners, and to support the active use of the property in a way that will be of benefit to the community, in perpetuity.
Since purchasing the Store in 2022, the Stewardship Association has made major improvements, including: a new basement floor, a mobility access ramp, replacement of a front column, restoration of antique wood floors, replacement of windows, exterior painting, installation of mini-splits for heating/cooling efficiency, and a state-of-the-art UV light system to preserve the Store’s pristine spring water.
As of Spring 2026, siblings Colleen and Sean Taylor have brought new life to the historic Store at Five Corners, combining their deep roots in hospitality with a love for community. The Store offers coffee, tea, espresso, fresh pastries, breakfast, lunch, and grab-and-go dinners, along with a curated selection of local goods. With its charming setting, including a glass-enclosed porch and inviting seating, the Store has quickly become a welcoming hub for locals and visitors alike—hosting small gatherings, workshops, and meaningful community connections. To learn more about the Store – including menus, hours, and online ordering – go to storeatfivecorners.com.
The Stewardship Association has a dedicated Board of Directors, all from the local community, who maintain and enhance the Store for future generations to enjoy. The Association also provides updates on its building projects and the resources needed to preserve this community treasure.
We hope you’ll be able to help us pursue this important mission! Please know that your tax-deductible donation of any amount is greatly appreciated and helps to preserve and maintain this essential community asset. While you're here you can learn more about the Stewardship Association, contact us or join our mailing list for updates, or make a donation online.
Donations by check are payable to the Store at Five Corners Stewardship Association, a recognized 501(c)3 corporation. Please mail to: Store at Five Corners Stewardship Association, P.O. Box 533, Williamstown, MA 01267, and include your name, address, and email. If you have any questions please contact us at info@storeatfivecorners.org.
The Association is deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support - and is excited about the Store’s promising future!
Donate
The Stewardship Association needs your help. Your tax-deductible donation of any amount is greatly appreciated and helps to preserve and maintain this essential community asset.
Learn More
Learn more about this exciting community effort to revive the heart of South Williamstown.
Volunteer
If you’re interested in being involved as we progress, let us know a little bit about you and how you’d like to be involved
See Early Photos of The Five Corners Historic District
The Store at Five Corners is a living museum, with an ongoing exhibit of photos, documents and maps of the Store and its surrounding Five Corners Historic District. This neighborhood has long been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places for its historic significance.
The Store itself was initially known as Sloan’s Tavern (visited by George Washington) next as The Sabin House inn, and later as a town meeting house, post office, and general store known as Steele’s Store.
On the Store’s enclosed porch, an entire wall is filled with photos of the Store, the nearby Idlewild Hotel (previously a boys’ boarding school), a one-room schoolhouse, a church, shops, and houses dating back to the 1760s. While enjoying refreshments, visitors can easily envision how this neighborhood once looked, surrounded by historic buildings.
Also look for the 3-ring notebooks with a detailed history of the Store, letters dated 1869-71 from a student named Willie, press clippings, an 1898 Idlewild brochure describing resort amenities including rooms with best hair mattresses and a casino, and postcards dated 1909-15.
Survey Results
An Overwhelming Survey Response by 134 Members of Our Community.
• Importance to the community (1 to 10): avg. 8.9, 54% at 10.
• Importance to you/your family (1 to 10): avg. 8.7, 48% at 10.
• Believe a general goods/food store should operate at 5 Corners (1 to 10): avg. 9.1, 73% at 10
• 89% prefer that the store be independent (59% strongly prefer).
*Results tabulated on first 131 responses
The most common things mentioned in the comments were the convenience of not having to drive into town for milk, bread, and other last-minute items, the pleasure of meeting friends there for lunch or coffee, and the sense of the place as a community hub.
