BETHANY, W.Va. — For generations, Chambers General Store has been a familiar stop for residents in Brooke County, offering everything from groceries and hardware to made-to-order sandwiches.
The family-owned business was established in 1917 and has remained under the ownership of the Chambers family for nearly 110 years.
Current owner Harry Chambers said he returned to Bethany from Virginia to continue the family’s legacy, working alongside his father before eventually taking over daily operations.
One of the store’s most recognizable menu items is the “Dollar Sandwich,” a longtime favorite that traces its roots back to the mid-20th century. According to Chambers, the simple sandwich was created to provide customers with an inexpensive meal and has remained a staple ever since, despite its name no longer reflecting today’s price.
While the deli attracts many visitors, Chambers General Store is also known for carrying a wide variety of merchandise. Customers can shop for groceries, plumbing supplies, tools, household essentials and even vintage items, preserving the feel of a traditional country general store.
Chambers said the store’s ability to offer a little bit of everything has helped it remain a destination for both longtime customers and first-time visitors.
Although it may not officially hold the title of West Virginia’s oldest general store, Chambers believes it is among the state’s longest-operating family businesses.
The store continues to embrace the motto that has welcomed shoppers for generations: “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”
