Imagine finding a working soda fountain from the 1950s inside a small-town store where books and vintage records seem to stretch in every direction. In Ohio, one historic building combines old-fashioned drinks with shelves holding more than 100,000 books and thousands of records.
The fountain has a history stretching back generations, with classic phosphates, malts, and ice cream sodas among the drinks associated with its counter. Elsewhere in the building, readers can explore used books while collectors hunt for vinyl records and unexpected antiques.
I love the idea of visiting a place that feels like several nostalgic shops tucked into one. The shelves invite slow browsing, and each floor offers something different to discover.
It’s the kind of destination where a quick stop could easily become an entire afternoon, especially for anyone who loves finding reminders of another era.
An Old-Time General Store That Never Got the Memo About Modern Life
Market Square in Kinsman, Ohio, proudly calls itself an old-time general store. That label fits better than any trendy description could.
The store sits inside a historic building on the town square. It spreads across three levels, and each one holds something different.
Books fill much of the space, but they have plenty of company. Antiques, collectibles, toys, sewing supplies, and other odds and ends share the shelves.
The front area also holds a classic soda fountain counter. So you can browse a stack of novels and then order a float without leaving the building.
Fresh produce has shown up on tables near the entrance too. That small detail says a lot about the general store spirit here.
Shops like this used to anchor small towns across America. People came in for supplies, snacks, and a little news from neighbors.
Market Square keeps that idea alive in a fun, slightly chaotic way. It feels less like a polished retail chain and more like a treasure chest with a cash register.
Plan to slow down when you visit. This is not a quick in-and-out errand stop.
Give yourself time to wander each floor. Half the fun comes from spotting something you never expected to find, like a metal tractor beside a classic novel.
Order a Phosphate at Ohio’s Oldest Continuously Operating Soda Fountain
Phosphates are not a science project here. They’re a classic fountain drink, and this counter still makes them.
Market Square is described by the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau as home to Ohio’s oldest continuously operating soda fountain, with a history dating to the 1930s. The store also preserves a working 1957 fountain from the former Kinsman Rexall Pharmacy, adding another layer of local history to the experience.
The menu leans into the old classics. Ice cream sodas, phosphates, and malts all come from the fountain.
Root beer floats are part of the lineup as well. Milkshakes and sundaes round out the sweet side of things.
Fountain drinks like phosphates were hugely popular in the early and mid-1900s. They mixed flavored syrup with a tangy splash of acid phosphate and fizzy soda water.
Today, most kids have never tried one. That makes this counter a fun spot for a family taste test.
Seasonal flavors have appeared over the years, including pumpkin milkshakes. Elderflower has been offered as a soda flavor too.
Hours at the fountain may not always match the rest of the store. If a float is your main goal, it’s smart to call ahead before driving out.
Grab a seat at the counter if you can. Sipping a malt where people have been sipping them for generations feels like a tiny time machine with a straw.
Star Wars Fans Should Ask About the Yoda Soda
Yes, a drink called the Yoda Soda has been served at this counter. Strong with the fizz, it is.
That silly name shows how the fountain at Market Square mixes old-school charm with playful flavors. The classics stay, but the fun keeps growing.
Fountain counters have always been flexible places. Workers could combine syrups, ice cream, and soda water into nearly endless combinations.
That spirit still seems alive here. If you have a flavor idea that isn’t on the menu, asking politely never hurts.
Kids especially tend to love a drink with a great name. A green-themed soda named after a famous movie character beats a plain cup of juice any day.
Adults are not off the hook, though. A grown-up ordering a Yoda Soda is a guaranteed conversation starter at the counter.
Menu items can change over time, so treat this as a possibility rather than a promise. Ask what’s currently available when you arrive.
Either way, the counter gives you room to experiment. Try a flavor you’ve never had before, or split a couple of drinks so everyone gets a taste.
The worst outcome is a pretty good soda. Honestly, that’s not a bad risk.
Lunch Counter Sandwiches Make This More Than a Sugar Stop
Sweet treats get the spotlight, but the fountain counter has served real food too. Sandwiches, including Italian subs, have been part of the lunch options.
That changes the plan for a visit. You can stay longer, browse more, and refuel without driving somewhere else.
Lunch counters were once common inside general stores and drugstores. Folks would grab a sandwich and a soda while shopping or catching up on town gossip.
Market Square keeps that pairing simple. A sandwich, a shake, and a stack of books make a pretty solid afternoon.
Food offerings at small shops can shift with the season. It’s wise to check what the counter is serving on the day you stop by.
Families on road trips may find this especially handy. Kinsman sits in a rural corner of northeast Ohio, so convenient lunch stops matter.
The counter setup also makes the meal feel like an event. Eating at a classic fountain beats unwrapping a burger in the car.
Save room for dessert, obviously. Skipping the ice cream after lunch here would be like visiting a bookstore and refusing to look at a single cover.
That would just be strange. Nobody wants to be that person.
Three Floors of Books Will Test Your Willpower
More than 100,000 books fill Market Square, with the local tourism bureau reporting a collection exceeding 150,000 volumes. The store also advertises more than 20,000 records, making it an unusually large destination for readers and music collectors alike.
The used book collection is one of Market Square’s biggest attractions. Book lovers can easily spend hours exploring its shelves, moving between different subjects and discovering titles they never expected to find.
Titles span a huge range of topics and years. You’ll find older volumes alongside newer releases.
The owner sorts books by category. Those categories are spread throughout the store, so a little exploring is part of the deal.
A collection of Tom Clancy novels has been spotted on the shelves. That’s a good sign for thriller fans hunting for a missing title.
The best strategy is to come with a loose wish list. Pick a few authors or subjects, then let the shelves surprise you.
Don’t be shy about asking for help. The owner is known for guiding shoppers toward books that match their interests.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring patience. This is a browse-and-discover spot, not a tidy chain store with glowing signs.
You probably won’t leave empty-handed. Most book lovers end up carrying out at least a few finds, and maybe a few more than planned.
Antiques and Oddball Treasures Hide Between the Shelves
A repurposed freezer case full of toys and metal tractors is just the start. Market Square packs in antiques and collectibles of every kind.
Children’s toys, sewing equipment, and vintage odds and ends share space throughout the store. Even old wallpaper has been part of the inventory.
This is the section for treasure hunters. If you like flea markets and estate sales, you’ll feel right at home.
The mix changes as items sell and new pieces arrive. Two visits rarely look exactly the same.
The owner has talked about expanding into militaria. Collectors of historical items may want to ask what’s new.
Shopping here works best with an open mind. You might come for a book and leave with a toy tractor for your nephew.
Look high and low as you wander. Smaller items can easily hide on bottom shelves or tucked behind larger pieces.
Some items may not have price tags. Just ask at the counter, and staff can help figure it out.
Antique hunting rewards curiosity. The more corners you check, the better your chances of spotting something special that nobody else noticed first.
Ask the Owner for the Story Behind the Store
Every old building has a story, and this one comes with a storyteller. The owner of Market Square enjoys sharing the history of the store.
Friendliness is one of the most talked-about parts of a visit here. The owner has a reputation for being chatty, helpful, and full of tales from another time.
That personal touch matters in a store this big. A quick question can point you straight to the right book section.
The store aims to feel like an old-time general store. In those shops, conversation was part of the shopping experience.
So take a minute to say hello. You might learn something about Kinsman or the building that no sign could explain.
Small-town shops often survive because of the people running them. Their passion keeps the doors open and the soda fountain fizzing.
Be respectful of the owner’s time if the store is busy. A good story is worth waiting for.
Some visitors return just for the chats. That says a lot about how a friendly face can turn a quick stop into a favorite memory.
Bring your curiosity and a few questions. The answers might be the best souvenir of the trip.
Daily Hours Make It an Easy Add-On to a Pymatuning Trip
Market Square generally opens at 10 AM, seven days a week, although published closing times differ between the store’s website and local business listings. Visitors should confirm the current schedule before making a special trip, particularly if they want to visit the soda fountain.
You’ll find the store at 6406 Kinsman Nickerson Road, Kinsman, OH 44428, on the town square in Trumbull County.
Kinsman is close to the Pymatuning area along the Ohio and Pennsylvania border. Campers and lake visitors can easily work in a stop.
That makes the store a perfect break from outdoor activities. Rainy afternoon at the campsite?
A trip to the soda fountain sounds like a strong backup plan.
Leave yourself at least an hour or two. Three floors of books and records eat up time fast.
Bring cash and a sturdy bag just in case. Bulk record bags and armfuls of books can add up quickly.
Calling ahead is smart if the fountain is your top priority. Hours for treats may differ from regular store hours.
Kinsman may be small, but this stop packs a lot into one building. Few places let you sip a malt, buy a mystery novel, and dig up a 45 in one afternoon.
That’s a pretty great day out in Ohio.
