Do you ever wish you had grown up in South Dakota in a previous time, when things were simpler and small town Main Streets had a General Store where you could buy everything you needed? There’s nothing like a General Store to make you feel nostalgic for the good old days. Here’s a little store in De Smet that’s still open for business.
The little town of De Smet has just 1,000 or so residents. It’s located between Brookings and Huron, along U.S. Route 14.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr De Smet is best-known as the place Laura Ingalls Wilder called home, but it’s also been named as one of the 20 best small towns to visit.
This building has a long history.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr According to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, this was once the site of Charles Ingalls’ property, which included a store, office building and stable. Edward H. Couse purchased the property from Ingalls and it served as Couse Hardware and the Couse Opera house for two decades. In the 1920s, it housed a JC Penney store before becoming Ward’s Store and Bakery.
Ward’s Store and Bakery is located at 127 Calumet Avenue SW, in De Smet.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr De Smet is well-known for its many historical sites, including the Ingalls Homestead. It makes perfect sense that a town with such a preservation of history would have an operating General Store!
The first thing you notice when you visit is the front porch.
elwhaswan/Tripadvisor You’ll love this old-fashioned porch, where you can enjoy your breakfast or just sit and chat with friends, the way folks once did before shopping malls took over.
Today, Ward’s offers gift items and souvenirs, and it’s still one of the town’s gathering places.
Laura V./Tripadvisor You’ll likely see Patti Ward at the store - this place has been family-owned and operated since the 1950s. The customer service here is wonderful, and the folks who work here truly make your visit a great experience.
You’ll definitely want to stop by for breakfast or lunch.
Marco O./Yelp There’s a lunch special every day, and it’s always delicious. This is the pulled pork sandwich with potato salad, and you’ll also find a nice selection of donuts and other baked goods, and a full breakfast menu.
Visit Ward’s Store and Bakery Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Saturday from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
Have you ever shopped at Ward’s? Tell us about your experience!
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
De Smet is best-known as the place Laura Ingalls Wilder called home, but it’s also been named as one of the 20 best small towns to visit.
According to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, this was once the site of Charles Ingalls’ property, which included a store, office building and stable. Edward H. Couse purchased the property from Ingalls and it served as Couse Hardware and the Couse Opera house for two decades. In the 1920s, it housed a JC Penney store before becoming Ward’s Store and Bakery.
De Smet is well-known for its many historical sites, including the Ingalls Homestead. It makes perfect sense that a town with such a preservation of history would have an operating General Store!
elwhaswan/Tripadvisor
You’ll love this old-fashioned porch, where you can enjoy your breakfast or just sit and chat with friends, the way folks once did before shopping malls took over.
Laura V./Tripadvisor
You’ll likely see Patti Ward at the store - this place has been family-owned and operated since the 1950s. The customer service here is wonderful, and the folks who work here truly make your visit a great experience.
Marco O./Yelp
There’s a lunch special every day, and it’s always delicious. This is the pulled pork sandwich with potato salad, and you’ll also find a nice selection of donuts and other baked goods, and a full breakfast menu.
Want to see more General Stores in South Dakota? Take a look at this article.
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