Mr. Sweetman's general store
Mr. Sweetman's general store

Mr. Sweetman's general store

Mr. Sweetman's general store

Pay and go

Port-Daniel (Quebec), Canada

Mr. Sweetman were very sympathetic to the idea of making me visit his old general store closed today. But not that easy to understand him. He was switching from French to English constantly. "Look at here, this is the vieux tiroir-caisse avec le code que you must enter to open it." Ultimately, we opt for English, easier for the latter.

Closed about ten years ago, the general store has preserved its original character with its long counters, its old glass doors with the name of an ancient painting company and its unsold inventory dating a another time. The second floor was also filled. Between the old shoes in dusty boxes and clothing 1980s still containing their labels, it is a real time travel beyond the last three decades.

Between the old blackboard from the last century which were inscribed the price, the baskets were bananas were hung from the ceiling, Mr. Sweetman shows me what seemed to be a big cash register while this is instead of a system of accounts payable. At the time, when money was scarce and often presents at the end of the month, the survival of a family often spent by the credit obtained at the general store. Thus, in this sector, there were various bills of this village customers.

And next? A large roll of paper in which the marchandise were packed during the early last century, totally useless today.

Today, the store is closed and it is only visited by antique dealers. It is still remain a lot of stuff like the old kerosene fridge, furnitures and some antiques, but over the years to come, I guess the store will finally be empty one day.

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