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Visit these five eastern Mass. country stores to enjoy gifts, candy and nostalgia

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Visit these five eastern Mass. country stores to enjoy gifts, candy and nostalgia


Country stores have been part of the fabric of New England for more than 200 years. 

In addition to offering clothing, tools, household items, local dairy, meats and produce, toys and sweets, country stores also known as general stores provide a gathering place for residents and visitors of a community.

Folks who wanted to make a phone call, mail a letter or pick up a package would stop by the local country store which often had the only telephone in the area, and was one of just a few places from which mail could be delivered.

Massachusetts is dotted with country stores, many that date back more than 100 years. Though they offer more modern conveniences these days, many have retained a nostalgic ambiance and certain amenities that people find charming.

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Here are a few country stores worth visiting for some unique shopping, as well as a glimpse into yesteryear.

‘Icon of a store’: Fiske’s General Store has met every challenge in Holliston since 1863

1829 Country Store

26 Otis St., Mansfield

A meeting of modern vintage good and classic country favorites comes together in this historic building established in 1829. New owners reopened the store in 2022 to provide visitors with nostalgic favorites, specialty food, seasonal items and one-of-a-kind finds.

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Owner Mary Pat McSharry thinks the store is popular “because we have the nostalgia that they remember and because we have a fresh take on the old country store.”

In addition to candy, popular items include candles, gifts, and cards.”

Visit 1829countrystore.com for more information.

Bramhall’s Country Store

2 Sandwich Road, Plymouth

Bramhall’s Country Store, established in 1828, has been operated by the same family since it was founded. The old saltbox structure has been many things in the past a cobbler’s shop, a carpentry barn and one of the first post offices in the U.S. 

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Bramhall’s is known for three summer staples: lobster rolls, local corn and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, which can be enjoyed at a picnic tabled under the shade trees. There are plenty of historic artifacts on display to add to the feeling of being truly back in time.

“It’s a historical landmark in the neighborhood,” said manager Sally Bramhall. “My dad wanted to make it into a local meeting place, so we have local meats and produce. We try to employ local kids, it’s a great first job, they can ride their bikes or walk here.”

She said the store is known for its lobster rolls caught by a local fisherman and its ice cream.

Visit bramhallscountrystore.com for more information.

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Davoll’s General Store

1228 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth

One of the oldest country stores in the country, Davoll’s was established in 1793. Its current owners did some renovations to the building in 2021, adding a café and pub. Art, food and creations by local artisans can be found throughout. A library of books is a popular part of the store, and features cooking, children’s books, fiction and nonfiction, even a section of “local authors.”   

Visit davolls.com for more information.

Marshfield Hills General Store

165 Prospect St., Marshfield Hills

Located in a picturesque neighborhood in this seaside community, the General Store started out in 1853 selling grain and food items. It eventually expanded to include jewelry, hostess gifts, artwork from local artists, accessories, penny candy, greeting cards, and more. A special selection of wines is also available for purchase. Enjoy a cup of coffee and some good conversation.

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“We’re in a beach town and there are a lot of tourists in the summer, so we’re kind of a destination for them,” said manager Tish Adams. “We’ve also opened an ice cream shop next door, Jenny’s.”

Items always in demand include candy, gifts and “the best” cards.

You might also catch a glimpse of its co-owner, renowned actor and comedian Steve Carell.

Visit marshfieldhillsgeneralstore.com for more information.

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Wayside Country Store

1015 Boston Post Road (Route 20), Marlborough

Built in 1790, the Wayside Country Store originally stood in the center of Sudbury where it served as a post office and school in addition to a general store. On the second floor was a grand ballroom.  The building was relocated to its current site on Hager Pond by Henry Ford, who purchased the building in 1928.  It was the first country store in the U.S. to be re-established and restored. Find vintage candy, handmade items, New England souvenirs, books, gifts, and natural remedies, among other country store staples.

Despite the history of the building, what is most awe-inspiring to visitors, according to manager Sara Scerra, is the candy they offer.

“We have jars of candy, about 60 to 70 jars,” she said. “When people come in, they’re like, ‘wow.’”

The candy is probably the most popular item at the store, second only to the chocolates.

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“We have a full line of chocolates,” Scerra said. “Come in and check us out.”

Visit waysidecountrystore.com for more information.



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Mass. snowfall totals: Which communities got the most snow this weekend?

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Mass. snowfall totals: Which communities got the most snow this weekend?


Snow fell across Massachusetts overnight on Saturday and throughout Sunday morning thanks for a fast-moving low pressure system, according to the National Weather Service.

The snowfall is expected to continue into and through the afternoon in many communities, lasting longer in Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties, the weather service said. Southeastern Massachusetts is predicted to see 2 to 4 inches of snow, with cities and towns closest to the coast getting up to 6 inches. A winter weather advisory is set to remain in effect in these counties until 7 p.m. Sunday.

  • Read more: Mass. weather: Snowy Sunday with dangerous, arctic cold to follow

As of the early afternoon on Sunday, no communities had received more than 4 inches, according to the weather service. Falmouth and Dennis recorded getting the most snow so far at 4 inches as of 3:15 p.m.

Here are the snow totals for Massachusetts as of mid-afternoon on Sunday. This article will be updated throughout the day.

4+ inches of snow

3+ inches of snow

  • Bourne
  • Centerville (Barnstable)
  • Hyannis (Barnstable)
  • Mashpee
  • Plymouth
  • Sandwich

2+ inches of snow

  • Acushnet
  • Brewster
  • Chatham
  • Dartmouth
  • East Longmeadow
  • Fairhaven
  • Harwich
  • Kingston
  • Marstons Mills (Barnstable)
  • Mattapoisett
  • Nantucket
  • Oak Bluffs
  • Orange
  • Petersham
  • Sturbridge
  • Truro
  • Vineyard Haven
  • Wareham
  • Warren
  • West Tisbury
  • Yarmouth

1+ inches of snow

  • Acton
  • Ashburnham
  • Barre
  • Bedford
  • Berkley
  • Brighton (Boston)
  • Charlton
  • Chicopee
  • Dennis
  • Dighton
  • Dover
  • Fitchburg
  • Freetown
  • Gardner
  • Grafton
  • Holden
  • Holliston
  • Hubbardston
  • Ipswich
  • Leominster
  • Lexington
  • Lowell
  • Marshfield
  • Milton
  • New Bedford
  • North Attleborough
  • Norton
  • Orleans
  • Osterville (Barnstable)
  • Pepperell
  • Rochester
  • Somerset
  • Swansea
  • Tewksbury
  • Tyngsborough
  • Westborough
  • Westport
  • Wilbraham
  • Wilmington



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Snow lingers today, below-zero wind chills Monday morning – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Snow lingers today, below-zero wind chills Monday morning – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


Good morning! We’ve got snow on tap for today, which will linger most of the day and night across southeastern Massachusetts. We’ll dry out in the early evening for most of the rest of eastern Massachusetts, with north central Massachusetts drying out the quickest.

Snow will be widespread throughout the morning and into the early afternoon. As we get to the late afternoon, snow becomes more isolated over central Massachusetts but is still hanging around the coast, southeast Mass. and the Cape and islands.

Into the evening, the snow will become ocean-enhanced over southeast Mass. and the Cape/islands.

That’s where totals will be the highest.

4 to 6 inches of snow is expected there by late Sunday night.

For the rest of us, just a chance for a few inches.

After this storm it’s all about the cold wind. Monday’s lows will drop to the teens with highs in the mid 20s. But a biting wind will make it feel only like the negative single digits in the morning and the teens in the afternoon. Bundle up! At least the sun will be out.

Tuesday is looking mostly sunny and not windy. Lows will drop to the teens with highs in the low 30s. Wednesday, breezy again with a start in the 20s and afternoon temperatures mild in the low 40s. Thursday will be downright warm! We’ll hit the upper 40s with chances for rain in the evening. Friday we’ll reach the low 50s with chances of rain in the morning. Saturday looks dry, partly sunny with highs back to near normal in the mid 30s.

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Kitchen countertops linked to Massachusetts man’s deadly diagnosis

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Kitchen countertops linked to Massachusetts man’s deadly diagnosis


FILE – A man is using a special electric saw to cut a granite counter in a residential kitchen in preparation for installing a new range top. Getty Images

A Massachusetts man has been diagnosed with a life-altering lung disease linked to popular kitchen countertops. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed this week that its first case of silicosis had been diagnosed in a Hispanic man in his 40s who, for the past 14 years, worked for stone countertop fabrication and installation companies. 

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What is silicosis? 

Big picture view:

Silicosis is a serious, incurable lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica, which is found naturally in granite and other stones. Silicosis can become progressively disabling and sometimes prove fatal. It almost always results from work-related exposures.

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Dig deeper:

Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, according to OSHA. 

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Symptoms:

Symptoms of silicosis can include shortness of breath, cough and fatigue. Workers exposed to airborne crystalline silica also are at increased risk for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. 

What they’re saying:

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“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Massachusetts employers in industries where workers are exposed to silica dust have a responsibility to protect their workforce, including from harmful airborne dust. No worker should have to suffer from a chronic and insidious lung disease or possibly die because of a preventable exposure at work.”

 Tanning beds could triple melanoma risk, new study finds

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Countertop disease

Big picture view:

Crystalline silica commonly occurs in nature as the mineral quartz, and is found in granite, sandstone, quartzite, various other rocks and sand. Cutting, grinding, chipping, sanding, drilling and polishing these natural and manufactured stones can release various levels of crystalline silica dust particles that can be inhaled if proper protections aren’t in place.

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Dig deeper:

Engineered or manufactured stone, also commonly called quartz, is particularly problematic since it has more crystalline silica than natural stone. 

By the numbers:

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For example, the average percent of crystalline silica in engineered stone is at least 90% in quartz and engineered stone, vs. a 10-45% makeup in granite, according to an OSHA hazard alert

What you can do:

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Certain engineering controls, such as water spraying systems or remote-controlled tools, can be used to mitigate risk, as well as by wearing proper respiratory protection. 

Silica cases in the U.S.

Big picture view:

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Most engineered stone workers with silicosis in the U.S. were exposed to silica at their jobs for over ten years, although some were exposed for less time.

The backstory:

The first reported case of silicosis in the U.S. associated with exposure to silica dust from engineered stone was identified in Texas in 2014, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Since then, other states have reported hundreds of cases, and dozens of deaths, particularly in California. 

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Dig deeper:

In the U.S., most engineered stone workers with silicosis are relatively young, male, and Hispanic/Latino. This largely reflects the demographic composition of this industry’s workforce.

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In 2023, over half of workers in this industry were under 45 years old, nearly three-quarters were men, and more than 1 in 3 were Hispanic/Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Source: Information in this article was taken from a Dec. 9, 2025, alert from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Background information was taken from OSHA. This story was reported from Detroit. 

HealthMassachusetts
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