CORNUCOPIA, Wis. - It’s one of the oldest buildings in Cornucopia.  A general store that's been thriving for nearly a century!

For 85 year old Harold Ehlers, the historic store holds a special place in his heart.  "I worked here all my life, when we were kids, we all had to work here," said Ehlers.  In 1915 Harold’s father Herman Ehlers and his business partner founded the Flieth–Ehlers Mercantile Company in Cornucopia.  It's known today as Ehlers Store and is still a general store after all these years.  "I had made up my mind I was going to keep the store going," said Ehlers.  "You wouldn't want to see something that your dad built go to pot."

So Ehlers took over the business and ran the store for more than 50 years before Jayne Norton and her partner Max Taubert bought the general store in 2006.  "We bought the store with nowhere to live and then moved here so we just kind of winged it," said Norton.

The store is 4 buildings pieced together and inside you'll find a grocery store, hardware store, along with a deli, gift items and locally made arts & crafts.  "Pretty much anything that people make around here I try and sell it for them," said Norton.  "We are selling as many local products as we possibly can," said Taubert.

Since 1915, Ehlers Store has been the place to go on the South Shore where locals and those passing through can find anything under the sun.  "I always like to tell people we have everything from bullets to beer," said Norton.  "The Ehlers motto was if we don't have it, you don't need it," said Taubert.  The store has become a gathering place in town and is visited daily by Ehlers.  "He comes in every day and makes sure we are doing things right," said Taubert.

Their goal is to continue to bring in more locally made goods like produce and craft items while keeping this small town general store's history alive.  "We want to keep it in the tradition of a general store that has everything to offer a small town," said Norton.  "I think most towns would love to have a place like this," said Ehlers.

Ehlers Store is open 7 days a week.  For more information log onto www.ehlerstore.com