Ivyland Country Store Remains Community Staple Since 1874

Ivyland Country Store has been serving the community since 1874, though ownership has changed hands many times throughout the years. Currently, Jim Primodie runs the place.

"I've been the owner for over 20 years," Primodie said. "But there's a book on the whole history on it. Over the last 50 years its been a little deli, then a butcher shop in 1957 and way back, it sold different furs and stuff. It's always been a country store off and on throughout the years."

The store was originally built by Edwin Lacey as a frame store, according to Ivyland Country Store's website. The store was ran by Montgomery Carr and his son Wilmer W. Carr, and it offered goods ranging from clothing and boots to yard goods but most notably, groceries.

Today, Ivyland Country Store is mostly frequented by the area workers who pop in for lunch during the week, Primodie said. If it wasn't for their business, the country store might not be up and running.

"The only reason [the store's been successful] is because it's surrounded by industrial parks and they come in for lunch," Primodie explained.

If it wasn't for the lunch business, Primodie said he isn't sure the country store would be popular unless it sold something else high in demand because of its location in the middle of Ivyland. He said the store is also successful because it's been around for so long and its well known.

"And the food is the good, [that] may be another reason," he chuckled.

Though the Ivyland Country Store isn't known for any specialty in particular, Primodie said he thinks that since most delis are franchises now, people enjoy coming for the independent deli atmosphere.

"There aren't many like this around the area anymore," he said. "So these types of delis are starting to get scarce."

The hand-carved sandwiches that the deli serves have been selling good for a year or two, according to Primodie, so if he had to choose a specialty he'd suggest ordering that. The country store has a sizable menu that includes specials like kielbasa with sauerkraut, or regular menu items like burgers, breakfast, hot and cold sandwiches, hoagies or wraps, and soups and salads. And not many items cost more than $7, according to the menu on the store's website.

Though the store recently tried being open on Saturday's, it went back to its Monday through Friday schedule just two weeks ago because of low turnout.

"We just closed two weeks ago on Saturday. We couldn't get it to pick up. No one works on Saturday and there's not enough town people to keep it open on Saturday," Primodie explained.

So, for now, Ivyland Country Store will remain open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The menu is also available for takeout and the store will make deliveries from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ivyland Country Store is located at 67 Gough Ave., in Ivyland, Pa. Call 215-672-6739 for more information, or visit the store's website or facebook page.