When you’re on a road trip, there’s no more welcoming sight than a good country store. You can fill your gas tank, get a fresh cup of coffee, stock up on camping supplies, fill the cooler with beer and pop, maybe even get a hot meal before getting back on the highway.

Luckily for travelers, Grant County has an abundance of wonderful country stores, each with its own unique flavor. 

Every one is a little bit different, but all have one thing in common: They’re staffed by friendly folks who stand ready to help you on your journey, whether by refueling your rig, restocking your food box, filling your empty stomach, slaking your thirst or sharing nuggets of local knowledge about the best places to hunt, fish or camp.

So as you set out on your travels through Grant County, take time out for a pit stop at one of these rustic gems. Even if you don’t really need anything, you’ll be glad you stopped by.

DALE STORE

LOCATION: Highway 395 North in Dale, just south of the Umatilla County line

HOURS: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 541-421-3484

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: The little store has a small but surprisingly varied selection of camp food staples such as canned meat, beans, chili, stew, marshmallows, peanut butter and jelly, bread, mac and cheese, eggs and pancake mix; propane; an assortment of snacks and candy; as well as ice, cold beer and soda, and even a small freezer stocked with ice cream treats

CLAIM TO FAME: During rafting season, the Dale Store operates a car-shuttle service between a nearby put-in point on the North Fork of the John Day River and the takeout at Monument

ETC.: The store also serves as the community post office

BEAR VALLEY STORE

LOCATION: 209 Barnes Ave. (Highway 395), Seneca

HOURS: 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 541-542-9309

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Cold beer, soda, and other beverages; cold and hot deli with sandwiches made fresh daily; snacks, chips, basic grocery items, ice cream; assorted fishing and camping gear, toilet paper, paper plates, charcoal and propane

CLAIM TO FAME: Fresh food and fresh sandwiches made daily; homemade lemonade made from Meyer lemons

ETC.: If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the shelves of the Bear Valley Store, a quick jaunt up the street takes you to Grandma’s Truck N’ Kitchen for a full menu of homemade foods and desserts

AUSTIN HOUSE CAFE

LOCATION: 75805 Highway 26, Austin Junction

HOURS: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays

PHONE: 541-448-2526

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Ice, fuel, canned goods and dried fruits; beer and wine sales in bar; small assortment of camping and medical supplies such as lip balm and sunscreen

CLAIM TO FAME: Cafe environment provides a warm feeling that reminds patrons of home, according to owner Mindi Shelton

ETC: Full breakfast and lunch menu; dinner features a single entree; huckleberry ice cream and homemade pies sold by the slice; bar serves beer and wine; campsites behind main building

DAYVILLE MERCANTILE

LOCATION: 207 Franklin St. (Highway 26), Dayville

HOURS: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week

PHONE: 541-987-2133

FUEL: No

THE BASICS: Cold beer and soda; canned goods and dry goods; liquor; milk, eggs, bacon, orange juice; an ATM machine; antiques; homemade candy and baked goods; fossils; souvenirs

CLAIM TO FAME: One of the oldest continuously run general stores in Oregon, founded in 1896

ETC: An old dance hall from the 1950s occupies the second floor; free coffee for visitors

DAYVILLE MINI MART

LOCATION: 100 E. Franklin Ave. (Highway 26), Dayville

HOURS: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 541-987-2411

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Cold beer, soda, wine, milk, eggs, orange juice, cheeses

CLAIM TO FAME: Clean store and clean bathrooms

ETC: Town gathering place to talk and check up on people

LONG CREEK MERCANTILE

LOCATION: 105 Highway 395 North in Long Creek

HOURS: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; cafe open 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 541-421-3332

FUEL: No

THE BASICS: Ice, cold drinks, beer and wine, milk, eggs, dairy, produce, frozen foods, an ATM, cigarettes and chewing tobacco

CLAIM TO FAME: Farm-to-table beef from Circle V Ranch in Fox Valley

ETC: In addition to groceries, supplies and gifts, the Long Creek Mercantile offers a welcoming cafe for the family open six days a week

BOYER’S CASH STORE

LOCATION: 335 John Day St. (just off Highway 402), Monument

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week

PHONE: 541-934-2290

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Sells fresh produce, milk, eggs, bacon, frozen meats, juice, frozen foods, beer, wine and liquor.

CLAIM TO FAME: Owned by three generations of Boyers, with historical photos lining the walls of the store (opened in 1927 as a Red and White Store and reopened in 1927 as Boyer’s Cash Store)

ETC.: Owner Jerry Boyer loves fishing, so the store carries a selection of fishing supplies for customers

JOHN DAY RIVER TADING POST

LOCATION: 41345 Highway 19, Kimberly

HOURS: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays (winter hours TBD)

PHONE: 541-934-2060

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Fresh produce

ETC.: Features a selection of homemade goods and crafts and a giant bison head, in addition to a free library and a mini-museum of antique soda pop bottles

LONE ELK MARKET

LOCATION: Highway 19 in Spray

HOURS: 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 541-468-2443

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Plenty of coolers stocked with a wide variety of beer, soda and other cold beverages; snacks, chips and candy; canned goods, ramen, bread, PB&J; ice, charcoal, paper plates, toilet paper; fishing rods and tackle

CLAIM TO FAME: A small restaurant, tucked into a back room of the store, is open for breakfast and lunch and is earning a reputation for its baked goods

ETC.: If you’ve already powered through your vacation novel and need something else to read, the Lone Elk Market has a little free library. Leave the book you just finished in exchange. Internet service can be spotty in Spray, which can sometimes knock out the store’s card reader. There’s an ATM on site in case you need some quick cash.

BURNT RIVER MARKET

LOCATION: 304 Main St. (Highway 26), Unity

HOURS: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 541-446-3660

FUEL: Yes

THE BASICS: Beer, soda and other beverages; ice, liquor store; fuel, including off-road diesel; snacks, chips and candy; hunting licenses, fishing licenses; propane; cabin for rent; full cafe menu

CLAIM TO FAME: Only store/cafe for 50 miles in each direction; renowned for their hamburgers

ETC: If you’ve found yourself in need of rest and are in Unity, you can park your RV in the RV park adjacent to the market or have a stay in one of the seven rooms in the motel. If neither of those lodging options fit your tastes, a stay in the market’s rental cabin is also an option.