Pictured are some of the items sold at Country Pickins General Store. Photo provided.
The new shop in Williamsburg has something for everyone
Pictured is Country Pickins General Store. Photo provided.
Pictured are some of the items sold at Country Pickins General Store. Photo provided.
Pictured are some of the items sold at Country Pickins General Store. Photo provided.
Pictured are some of the items sold at Country Pickins General Store. Photo provided.
Country Pickins General Store is located at 306 West Main Stree. Photo provided.
Pictured, from left, are Country Pickins General Store owners George Feip and Shellie Feip. Photo provided.
Country Pickins General Store in downtown Williamsburg is a boutique inspired by the shopping experiences of Pigeon Forge and Amish country.
Owner George Seip opened Country Pickins General Store at 306 West Main Street on June 5.
Country Pickins General Store carries primitive and farmhouse looks. The store also carries Stonewall Kitchen, Jim Shore collectibles, candles, syrups, and cooking oils from Buckeye, and Michael Designs products.
“We thought we’d like to carry a little bit of everything,” Seip said. “We try to handle stuff that no one else has.”
Seip, who was born and raised in Georgetown, has a long history of serving Williamsburg.
His wife, Shellie Seip, is a native of the village, and in 1980, George Seip started working as a police officer in Williamsburg.
In 1988, he moved to the village, and then in 2001, he left his position in the village to advance his career; Williamsburg has always been a place he called home.
In 2021, George Seip, who is the Chair of the committee that organizes the annual June in Olde Willimasburgh festival, was elected to the village council, and he began to work towards bringing new businesses to Williamsburg.
His focus was part of a bigger personal goal; throughout his life, George Seip always wanted to open a business, specifically a storefront.
He explained that his father influenced him to be a business owner; his father owned a Western Auto Store in the ’60s and ’70s.
“The thought was to open a hardware store,” George Seip said.
When that idea was put on hold, he began brainstorming other ideas.
“I saw what growth potential was here in Williamsburg,” George Seip said. “We were trying to work to bring businesses to the village, and I thought it was a good idea to open up my own store, as a sort of way of model the behavior we wanted to see here.”
He added, “I just wanted to be a part of it.”
George and Shellie Seip decided to open Country Pickins General Store.
“We put in a little of Pigeon Forge and Amish influence,” George Seip said. “We know a few people in the area who talk about their appreciation for those types of goods and foods. We sell items here that are sold in those areas.”
So far, the shop has been doing well.
“The outlook looks good; we’re doing better than expected,” he said.
He attributes the store’s success to a friendly and welcoming landlord and community.
“The building owner has helped; he helped to get the ceiling work done,” George Seip explained. “I appreciate what he did and what the community has done to support us.”
He explained that all the businesses in Williamsburg work together to support each other.
“We’re kind of living off one another’s successes,” George Seip said. “The village right now has a little bit of everything.”
He added, “I appreciate the people in the community and the surrounding area for supporting the village.”
Looking ahead, George Seip explained that the Country Pickins General Store is preparing for the holiday season, with fall and Christmas décor set to be available from The Christmas Palace.
“We ought to be pretty festive,” he said.
Country Pickins General Store is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.
For more information, visit the store’s page on Facebook.