Ivyland Country Store Hidden Gem In Bucks County

IVYLAND BOROUGH, PA —It's a timeless favorite.

The Ivyland Country Store —one of Bucks County's oldest general stores and a borough landmark — sits at 67 Gough Ave. with a rich history.

Over the last 150 years, the owners and the types of goods sold have changed over time, yet the store continues to be deeply rooted in the community, said Geff Rapp, who served as chairman of Ivyland's 150th Anniversary Committee, and penned a piece about the store.

Built in 1873 and operating as a store a year later, the Country Store’s early days saw sales from not only groceries but linens, boots, clothing, and a whole floor dedicated to hardware and harnesses.

It’s said that shoppers from as far away as Philadelphia would travel to the store to purchase various goods including fine silk linens, Rapp said.

Today, the store’s exterior still closely resembles how it was originally (with, perhaps, the exception of the neon Boar’s Head sign).

Painted wooden signs announcing the goods sold are displayed above windows decorated with antiques in addition to the inevitable modern elements.

Owner Jim Primodie has been operating the store as a deli for the last 25 years faithfully serving breakfast and lunch every weekday to residents and the surrounding community.

Rapp said that Primodie is an instantly likable person who is as much a part of the store as the building itself. He's put his touch on the design of the store interior.

A mix of vintage décor, signage, antique and collectible items — some his own and many acquired from customers — all come together to make the space resemble the general stores of old.

“There are all these franchises today, this type of place is going away,” he said. “We don’t compete against Wawa, we’re in a unique location in the middle of nowhere. It’s unbelievable the business we do.”

Although the store’s location is in the heart of residential Ivyland, a lot of its sales are driven by the lunch orders from businesses in the nearby industrial parks — hence the Country Store’s operating hours being from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The charm and location of the store are not the only factors driving business — the food itself is just good, Rapp said.

Employees enjoy the store and the owner.

“I love working here and I love my boss because he’s fun, fair, and friendly. He makes the atmosphere great”, exclaims co-worker Joan Rieco.

During Primodie's 25-year tenure, he’s faced some challenges, including extensive repairs and a recent pandemic, but always has been able to hang on.

Roughly 15 years ago, Primodie had a big decision to make, an inspection of the building showed there were significant structural integrity issues. If not handled, the building could further decline and could even be condemned.

So Primodie went all in, spending more than $85,000 on the repairs.

Even if the building still leans slightly to the right, which adds to its considerable charm, it is now stable and safe.

"Just another unique aspect of a longtime gem of our neighborhood for nearly 150 years," Rapp said. "And we hope it’s around for many, many more."

“It’s a blast to run this business because of the store itself and the town,” Primodie said. “That’s why I do this every day.”