Road Trip Retail: Three Unique U.S. Retail Destinations

Americans and visitors to the U.S.A. love a road trip.  This summer, 84% of Americans plan to take a road trip with “micro-trips”, shorter 4-5 day trips, growing in popularity.  Buc-ee’s, featured in our 2025 Retail Innovations, targets these road-trippers.  Part of the fun of these road trips is discovering unique shopping spots along the way.  Here are three excellent examples that are worth a stop:

Founded in 1889 and operating in the same location since 1926, Crane’s Country Store is a fourth-generation general store that fuses nostalgia and practicality. The store is located off I-70 between St. Louis and Columbia in Williamsburg, Missouri.  Known fondly by its tagline: “Boots, bullets, britches, bologna” this shop offers an eclectic mix of workwear and outdoor gear:  Visitors are surprised to see an extensive inventory from brands like Carhartt, Filson, Wolverine, Stanley, and Fjällräven mixed in with the snacks, knives and deli sandwiches in this remote location.

Crane’s extends its reach through its website, a full-service companion to the brick‑and‑mortar experience. Shoppers can browse from anywhere, call or email to check for in-store inventory (since not all items are listed online), and choose in-store pickup or shipping.

Photo Credit: McMillanDoolittle

Stepping into Crane’s is like stepping back in time. You can perch by a pot‑bellied stove, swap stories with locals, browse aisles packed with inventory and even visit Crane’s Museum & Shoppes next door—a treasure trove of early 20th-century artifacts, including a vintage schoolroom, barber shop and gas station. Don’t miss the unbeatable 1‑Meat, 1‑Cheese, $2 Sandwich on white bread—equally comforting and iconic.

Image Source: Cuffs

Next up is Cuffs located in the quaint town of Chagrin Falls, south of Cleveland Ohio.  Tucked into a historic home, Cuffs is one of those IYKYK destinations offering a refined collection of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, wine and gifts. This luxury boutique, founded in 1981, earned recognition on GQ’s list of World’s Best Men’s Stores, a nod to its quality, curation, and character. Cuffs also holds the unique privilege of being the only non-Hermès-owned boutique in the U.S. authorized to sell Hermès products.  This blend of exclusivity and personal service makes it a pilgrimage-worthy stop for fashion enthusiasts.  After a stop at Cuffs, travelers will want to allocate time to visit the charming town of Chagrin Falls.

Image Source: River Club Glen Arbor and McMillanDoolittle

For those traveling in Northern Michigan, plan a stop at River Club Glen Arbor, located in Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula next to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This club reimagines the traditional mini-golf venue typically found in these resort areas.  The River Club offers a multi-faceted experience with live music, food and cocktails, children’s play areas, a curated selection of unique souvenirs and apparel items combined with an updated mini-golf course.  The River Club creates a shared experience for friends, families or individual travelers, where everyone finds something to enjoy.

Image Source: River Club Glen Arbor and McMillanDoolittle

These are three examples of retailers surviving and thriving in remote locations by offering a unique destination experience.  What are your favorite Road Trip Retail destinations?