R.A. Fountain General Store
R.A. Fountain General Store
Fountain, NC's beloved general store where bluegrass echoes through century-old shelves and every visit feels like a discovery.
Some places just accumulate soul over time. R.A. Fountain General Store on East Wilson Street has been doing exactly that for nearly a hundred years, and the patina shows in the best possible way. Walk through the door and you're surrounded by old merchandise, local history, books, and music, all tended by hosts who actually know what they're talking about.
Alex, Kathy, and Julie run the place with a warmth that reviewers keep coming back to mention by name. The store earned a 4.7-star rating not from flashy renovations but from genuine character. Visitors drive out to Fountain specifically for the lightning wells, the surprise of a live bluegrass show in a room that smells faintly of aged wood and good stories, and the kind of conversation you simply cannot have at a big-box retailer.
This corner of eastern North Carolina keeps its own pace, and R.A. Fountain honors that. The store sits at the intersection of general merchandise, local culture, and living music history, a combination rare enough that people bring their out-of-town friends just to prove it's real.
The store carries the kind of everyday goods a working community actually needs, alongside books, music, and locally rooted curiosities that reward a slow browse. The selection reflects decades of knowing exactly what neighbors want on a Tuesday afternoon and what a curious visitor hopes to stumble across on a Saturday.
Beyond the shelves, R.A. Fountain hosts live bluegrass performances that draw serious music fans from across the region. The acoustics of an old general merchandise building turn out to be surprisingly right for acoustic strings and close harmonies. Show schedules vary, so checking the website before you drive out is worth the thirty seconds.
The lightning wells on the property are a draw all their own, an unexpected natural feature that gives the visit a dimension you won't find at any other store in the county. Bring a friend who hasn't been. Their reaction will be worth it.
Take a look at our space and what we have to offer
“Took my friend Mike to see lightning wells. My first visit there had a blast will definitely return!”
— Victoria Bachlotte
Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers
The store is at 6754 E Wilson St in Fountain, NC 27829. It's a destination worth the drive through eastern North Carolina's back roads.
Yes. R.A. Fountain is known as a hidden bluegrass venue, hosting live acoustic shows from time to time in the historic store building. Check rafountain.com for current event schedules before making the trip.
The lightning wells are a natural feature on the property that visitors consistently mention as a highlight. Past guests describe them as a surprising and memorable part of the visit. It's best to ask staff on-site for details.
R.A. Fountain carries general store goods alongside books, music, and historical items. The inventory reflects the store's long local history and the eclectic tastes of its owners.
Absolutely. Reviewers who love books, music, history, and old-fashioned ways consistently call R.A. Fountain a favorite. The building itself is nearly a century old and full of character.
The best source for current event information is the store's own website at rafountain.com. Shows are scheduled periodically, so it pays to check ahead if you're making a special trip.
Definitely. The store, the merchandise, the hosts, and the lightning wells make it a compelling stop on any day. The music shows are a bonus, not the only reason to come.
Local places a short distance away, each with its own Doozer site. Tap any card to visit.
17 mi2814 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, NC 27896, USA
27 mi901 E Birchwood Dr, Nashville, NC 27856, USA
29 mi105 E Chestnut St, Goldsboro, NC 27530, USA
42 mi1410 S Brightleaf Blvd #79, Smithfield, NC 27577, USA
43 mi2320 S Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577, USA
Other spots near here, whatever their type. Tap one to open its page.