It's Wandering Wednesday!
- Albemarle Downtown Development
- May 22
- 1 min read
Clue Time!
This week’s Wandering Wednesday takes us to a truly “large” piece of Albemarle’s downtown story.
Clue: This “large” building downtown was home to several long-term businesses.
That’s right—this spot has housed more than one beloved business over the years, and it’s played a major role in our commercial history. Whether you were shopping, working, or just passing by, chances are you’ve stepped through its doors at some point.
Its presence is hard to miss—and its name might just be a hint!
Think you know where we are?
We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow!
Happy exploring,

Throwback Thursday!
This week, we hinted at a “large” building with a long-standing history downtown. If you guessed The Big Store, you were absolutely right!
Built in 1899, this iconic structure was originally a general store owned by the mills—a bustling hub for workers and families alike. Locals knew it simply as “The Big Store”, and it lived up to its name in both size and significance.
Fast forward to 2021, and this historic gem was beautifully restored, blending the charm of its past with modern-day function. Today, the building features residential apartments upstairs and commercial space below, making it a perfect example of how downtown Albemarle continues to honor its history while growing into the future.
Whether you’ve walked by it a hundred times or just now learned its story, The Big Store stands as a symbol of transformation, resilience, and the vibrant life of our community.
Stay tuned for next week’s mystery location, and don’t forget to explore the hidden stories in every corner of downtown!

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