New store expands ‘mom and pop’ business environment downtown

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

A typical mall outlet store might contain 1,000 square feet of retail space.

The new Clemens General Store, at 305 N. Main Street in downtown Hannibal, has 1,000 square feet, TIMES 6.

That’s almost 6,000 square feet filled with unique items to tempt travelers, treat retirees to a journey down memory lane, and to offer people of all ages a place to pick up what items might be missing in their daily lives.

The store originally opened a year ago, with the ongoing development of the store divided into three phases:

The first section opened Nov. 1, 2024; and the second section opened in March 2025. Now the third and final phase has opened. This section consists of toys, home goods, decor, puzzles and Christmas items.

The store’s sections are organized into unique segments.

There are areas devoted to deli and fudge; grocery and candy; gifts and home goods; and the newest addition, which includes Christmas.

Working together

Clemens General Store is a collaboration of the husband-and-wife team of Katy and Casey Welch. Katy is best known as the ongoing second-generation catalyst behind the coffee shop that has served as an anchor in downtown Hannibal for a quarter of a century: Java Jive. Casey, also an established Hannibal entrepreneur, is a primary with the family business, American Glass.

The new business replaces a former business of similar nature which closed, known simply as the General Store. Katy and Casey, in planning for the new shopping venue, added  “Clemens” to the store name to tie it in with an even earlier store that had been located in the building.

The previous General Store offered selections such as sliced deli meat, in a “grab and go sandwich place” business format. 

When that store closed, “I think locally people really missed having sliced deli meat downtown,” Katy said. “That was a hole we were looking to fill locally.”

The deli sandwiches bring a lot of locals through the new store’s doors, Katy said. They carry old-fashioned pickle and olive loaf, and Longhorn cheese. “You don’t see these items in grocery stores,” Katy said. “It has been a big hit with the retired generation.”

The candy selection also entices locals downtown.

“We see grandparents who have their grandchildren visiting for the summer. They buy big bags of bulk candy.

 “I’m thrilled to see so many locals,” Katy said.

As far as their current inventory is concerned, “We have managed to get a little bit in all categories,” she said. “Now we will broaden all that. More travel accessories. We’re really diving deep into cheese accessories, with a bigger emphasis on charcuterie options.” She plans to introduce a catering menu, so people can order ahead.

“For next year, I’m excited to expand further into all our categories,” she said.  “The polishing phase takes awhile.” In addition, “I definitely have hopes and dreams for more businesses downtown, but I have no clear vision to see what the future will bring.”

At the Clemens General Store, under the category of sundries, “We have Tylenol to shampoo to razors. We also have things that are nicer, like goat milk soaps and lotions, and cool travel accessories, such as coffee cup holders that attach to a suitcase.

"I think the main thing is, having these small local mom and pop shops really ads to our community and our historic district. Seeing local support as well as travelers has been gratifying. It adds to the sense of community we have already been building with Java Jive. This is an extension of that community that we have been building on.

“The locals come in for sandwiches, and now we have created more spaces for them to explore.”

A little history

Clemens General Store (305-307 N. Main) is located in a double building that was early associated with retail business. In 1888, Tony Conners operated a second-hand furniture store at 305 N. Main, which is the southern portion of the new Clemens General Store building.  In 1879 Andrew Sproul was a grocer in business at 307 N. Main (the northern portion of this building.)

In more recent history, in 1909, Martin J. Noonan (1843-1913) had a furniture store at 305 N. Main. (He is not related to Joe Noonan, whose family long operated ‘Ole Planters Restaurant across the street.)

As early as 1937, C.L. (Clarence Leland) Wright (1886-1951) and Sons ( Carlos D. Wright 1914-1967) and Howard W. Wright 1916-1991) operated a new and used furniture business at 307 N. Main.

(Clarence Leland Wright is grandfather of Greg Wright, a primary in Wright’s Furniture and Flooring, U.S. 61 South, Hannibal.)

Today, the building occupied by Clemens General Store is owned by South River Investments LLC.

Katy and Casey Welch are pictured in Dallas, where they placed orders for the opening of the Clemens General Store at 305 N. Main. Contributed photo.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

A typical mall outlet store might contain 1,000 square feet of retail space.

The new Clemens General Store, at 305 N. Main Street in downtown Hannibal, has 1,000 square feet, TIMES 6.

That’s almost 6,000 square feet filled with unique items to tempt travelers, treat retirees to a journey down memory lane, and to offer people of all ages a place to pick up what items might be missing in their daily lives.

The store originally opened a year ago, with the ongoing development of the store divided into three phases:

The first section opened Nov. 1, 2024; and the second section opened in March 2025. Now the third and final phase has opened. This section consists of toys, home goods, decor, puzzles and Christmas items.

The store’s sections are organized into unique segments.

There are areas devoted to deli and fudge; grocery and candy; gifts and home goods; and the newest addition, which includes Christmas.

Working together

Clemens General Store is a collaboration of the husband-and-wife team of Katy and Casey Welch. Katy is best known as the ongoing second-generation catalyst behind the coffee shop that has served as an anchor in downtown Hannibal for a quarter of a century: Java Jive. Casey, also an established Hannibal entrepreneur, is a primary with the family business, American Glass.

The new business replaces a former business of similar nature which closed, known simply as the General Store. Katy and Casey, in planning for the new shopping venue, added  “Clemens” to the store name to tie it in with an even earlier store that had been located in the building.

The previous General Store offered selections such as sliced deli meat, in a “grab and go sandwich place” business format. 

When that store closed, “I think locally people really missed having sliced deli meat downtown,” Katy said. “That was a hole we were looking to fill locally.”

The deli sandwiches bring a lot of locals through the new store’s doors, Katy said. They carry old-fashioned pickle and olive loaf, and Longhorn cheese. “You don’t see these items in grocery stores,” Katy said. “It has been a big hit with the retired generation.”

The candy selection also entices locals downtown.

“We see grandparents who have their grandchildren visiting for the summer. They buy big bags of bulk candy.

 “I’m thrilled to see so many locals,” Katy said.

As far as their current inventory is concerned, “We have managed to get a little bit in all categories,” she said. “Now we will broaden all that. More travel accessories. We’re really diving deep into cheese accessories, with a bigger emphasis on charcuterie options.” She plans to introduce a catering menu, so people can order ahead.

“For next year, I’m excited to expand further into all our categories,” she said.  “The polishing phase takes awhile.” In addition, “I definitely have hopes and dreams for more businesses downtown, but I have no clear vision to see what the future will bring.”

At the Clemens General Store, under the category of sundries, “We have Tylenol to shampoo to razors. We also have things that are nicer, like goat milk soaps and lotions, and cool travel accessories, such as coffee cup holders that attach to a suitcase.

"I think the main thing is, having these small local mom and pop shops really ads to our community and our historic district. Seeing local support as well as travelers has been gratifying. It adds to the sense of community we have already been building with Java Jive. This is an extension of that community that we have been building on.

“The locals come in for sandwiches, and now we have created more spaces for them to explore.”

A little history

Clemens General Store (305-307 N. Main) is located in a double building that was early associated with retail business. In 1888, Tony Conners operated a second-hand furniture store at 305 N. Main, which is the southern portion of the new Clemens General Store building.  In 1879 Andrew Sproul was a grocer in business at 307 N. Main (the northern portion of this building.)

In more recent history, in 1909, Martin J. Noonan (1843-1913) had a furniture store at 305 N. Main. (He is not related to Joe Noonan, whose family long operated ‘Ole Planters Restaurant across the street.)

As early as 1937, C.L. (Clarence Leland) Wright (1886-1951) and Sons ( Carlos D. Wright 1914-1967) and Howard W. Wright 1916-1991) operated a new and used furniture business at 307 N. Main.

(Clarence Leland Wright is grandfather of Greg Wright, a primary in Wright’s Furniture and Flooring, U.S. 61 South, Hannibal.)

Today, the building occupied by Clemens General Store is owned by South River Investments LLC.

This line-art image depicts the Clemens General Store, located in a double historic building at 305-307 N. Main St. The local business opened in three phases, beginning in November 2024. The third and final phase just opened, which includes a Christmas shop. The business is owned by Katy and Casey Welch. Contributed photo.