Some road trips change course because of a simple sign along a two-lane highway in northeast Missouri. Drivers on this stretch keep pulling over at a big country store run in the Mennonite tradition, and many leave with a cone of soft serve along with a cart full of bargains.
Some shoppers drive half an hour or even a full hour to get here, and they make the trip about once a month. Inside, there are bulk foods, a deli counter, a greenhouse packed with plants, sturdy outdoor furniture, and shelves that change almost every week.
In June, the ice cream cones are even free. Keep reading to learn where this place sits, what makes it worth the detour, which days it is open, and a few smart tips that will help you shop like a regular on your very first visit.
A Country Stop on Highway 15
Out where farm fields line the road north of town, a long building with a greenhouse beside it keeps catching the attention of passing drivers. The place is Country View Store, and its address is 22140 State Hwy 15, Memphis, MO 63555, in the United States.
Memphis is a small town in northeast Missouri, close to the Iowa line. Highway 15 runs right past the store, so plenty of shoppers find it the simple way, by spotting it during a drive and deciding to turn in.
Officially, it is listed as a grocery store. That label only covers part of the story, though.
The store is known as a Mennonite country store, the kind of family-run shop that mixes discount groceries with practical goods for home and garden. Shelves hold dry foods, frozen meats, local produce, eggs, vitamins, and household items.
Out back and beside the building, a greenhouse stays busy with flowers, vegetable starts, and tropical houseplants. There is also a deli counter, a cheese display, and a soft serve machine that has become a quiet local legend.
The size surprises first-timers. Many people plan a quick look and end up browsing for an hour, which says plenty about how much fits under one roof.
So what keeps folks coming back down this highway again and again? The answer starts with a cone.
The Soft Serve Everyone Talks About
Ask regulars about their favorite part of a trip here, and the ice cream cones come up fast. The soft serve is a favorite of most people who stop by, and for many families it is the reward at the end of a long shopping list.
There is a fun twist that has helped build the buzz. During the month of June, the store hands out free ice cream cones.
Now, a small detail matters here. The free cones are not a year-round thing, and the store has made that clear itself.
June is the month to plan around if you want your treat on the house.
In past Junes, free popcorn has joined the cones too. That makes early summer a popular time to bring the kids along for the ride.
Outside of June, the cones are still a big draw. They turn a grocery run into something closer to a small outing, which might explain why the parking lot stays steady.
A cone in one hand and a shopping cart in the other is a tricky balancing act. Most shoppers seem happy to figure it out anyway.
Of course, a sweet treat only goes so far. The real surprise for many people waits on the shelves.
Bargain Shelves That Never Sit Still
Deals drive a lot of the traffic through these doors. The store works as a discount grocery, and many of its best values come from clearance goods.
Some items are close to their sell-by date, and some are past it. Shoppers who do not worry much about best-by dates often find big savings, such as flats of yogurt priced near what a single yogurt costs at a typical retailer.
The freezer section is a hotspot. Reduced-price chicken strips, soups, and breakfast sandwiches show up often, and cases of microwave sandwiches have sold for under five dollars each.
One large family shared that they can stock up for about a quarter of what big box stores charge. That kind of math explains the half-hour drives.
Here is the honest flip side. Prices on some everyday items can land close to or above big box levels, so not every shelf is a steal.
A smart move is to check dates on anything that matters to you. The inventory also changes quickly, so the item you loved last month may not be back.
That shifting stock is part of the fun. Every trip becomes a small treasure hunt, and the next stop inside proves it.
Deli Counter Days and Taco Tuesdays
Lunch has a way of sneaking into the plan here. The store runs an on-site deli, and it has grown into a reason to stop on its own.
Behind the counter, there are many kinds of meats and cheeses. The deli also makes sandwiches, which makes it easy to grab something before heading back to the highway.
Tuesdays bring a special worth knowing about. Taco Tuesday has featured a taco salad that earned big praise from travelers just passing through.
The cheese display deserves its own mention. It is large and reasonably priced, so cheese lovers may need a bigger cooler than planned.
Soft pretzels are another favorite among regulars. They make a handy snack for the road.
Unique frozen and prepared foods show up too. Stuffed meatballs filled with egg, sausage, and cheese have appeared on past trips, which shows how creative the selection can get.
Since the stock rotates, what is in the case changes from visit to visit. That keeps the deli feeling fresh in a different way each time.
Full from lunch? Good, because the next part of the store calls for a slow walk.
A Greenhouse Bursting With Green
Gardeners, consider yourselves warned. The greenhouse here can turn a short errand into a long afternoon.
The store offers a large selection of healthy nursery plants. Indoor tropical plants share the space, so both outdoor growers and houseplant fans have plenty to look at.
Flower pots come in huge numbers. Cute planters are a highlight, and many are ready to go straight onto a porch.
The seed section is a standout. Shoppers have called the selection of vegetable seeds enormous, which is great news for anyone planning a backyard garden.
A strong gardening section rounds it all out. Supplies sit close to the plants, so it is easy to grab what you need in one trip.
Spring and early summer are natural times to visit for plants. Many gardeners make the greenhouse part of their seasonal routine.
Plant selection is one of the topics people bring up again and again. It stands beside the soft serve as a reason folks pull off the road.
Once the plants are loaded, there is still more outside to see. The yard holds pieces built to last for years.
Poly Furniture and Birdhouse Heaven
Not everything here fits in a grocery bag. The store carries a great selection of poly outdoor furniture, and some of it is big enough to need a truck.
Gliders, chairs, and picnic tables are part of the lineup. Buyers have come back for more pieces because the furniture holds up well to the weather.
Holiday gifts have come from this yard too. One family managed to get a glider ready in time for Christmas, a nice example of how helpful the team can be.
Bird lovers get a real treat. Purple martin houses line up for sale, and the number of bird feeder styles is hard to match.
Many shoppers have said they have never seen so many types of bird feeders in one place. That is quite a claim, and the display backs it up.
These outdoor goods pair nicely with the greenhouse. A full backyard plan, from seeds to seating to birdhouses, can come together in one stop.
Big items like these are worth measuring for before you go. A tape measure in the glove box might save a second trip.
Inside, a different kind of variety waits on the shelves.
Vitamins, Gadgets and a Happy Hodgepodge
Shopping lists tend to grow longer once inside. Beyond food, the shelves hold a wide hodgepodge of household items.
A six-cup measuring cup once turned up for a shopper who had been hunting for one. Finds like that make the aisles feel like a small adventure.
Vitamins are a big category. The wellness section is so well stocked that some call it vitamins galore.
The store also sells online. Wellness products can ship to other states, and a customer in Pennsylvania received an order within a week with free delivery.
Dry goods, local eggs, and meat sit alongside the odds and ends. It is the kind of mix that lets you grab dinner and a kitchen tool in the same trip.
The bulk and spices section is smaller than at some other Mennonite stores nearby. Many regulars feel the clearance goods more than make up for it.
The store also runs an ad with featured items. If something from the ad is missing, staff will tell you whether it is gone or where to look.
And speaking of staff, they may be the biggest reason people come back.
Friendly Faces and Spotless Floors
Kindness gets mentioned here more than any single product. Friendly staff is the most common topic people bring up about the store, by a wide margin.
Workers are described as nice, helpful, and polite. The owners are known as great people, and their team is pleasant to deal with.
Cleanliness comes up often too. For a store this large, keeping it clean is no small job, and shoppers notice.
The owners respond to comments with thanks and a friendly see you soon. That personal touch fits the small-town feel.
Organization gets mixed notes. Some find it well organized, while others feel it is a bit less tidy in layout than certain nearby stores.
There is also a sign outside asking people not to smoke or vape near the building. It is a good idea to respect that rule while on the property.
Overall, the store suits bargain hunters, gardeners, families stocking up, and road trippers who like a good browse. Kids tend to enjoy it, especially when a cone is involved.
Now for the planning part, because the clock here keeps country hours.
Hours, Days and Smart Timing
Timing a trip right makes all the difference. The store opens at 8 AM Monday through Saturday.
On Monday through Friday, it closes at 6 PM. Saturday hours run a little shorter, from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Sunday is a day off. The store is closed, so plan a weekday or Saturday visit instead.
Some regulars like to come on Saturdays about once a month. Others aim for Tuesday to catch the Taco Tuesday deli special.
June is the month for free ice cream cones. That makes early summer one of the most popular times to stop by.
Spring works well for the greenhouse. Plant shoppers will find the most to choose from as gardening season starts.
A full browse can take an hour or more, so leave time. Rushing through might mean missing the best clearance finds.
Because stock changes fast, a visit early in the day can help. Popular deals do not always last.
With the calendar sorted, there are a few more tips that help a first trip go smoothly.
Worth the Detour on Highway 15
Smart shoppers come prepared. A cooler in the car is a good idea, since frozen meats and freezer deals are some of the best buys.
Check dates on items that matter to you. Many products are near or past their sell-by date, which is where the savings come from.
Be flexible with your list. Selection varies a lot, so this store works best for people who like to see what is new.
If you rely on EBT, it may help to bring a backup payment option. The machine has had trouble at times.
Getting here is simple. Follow State Highway 15 near Memphis in northeast Missouri, and the store sits right along the road.
So is it worth the stop? For most people, the answer seems to be yes, with a strong 4.7-star average from hundreds of shoppers.
Not every price is a bargain, and the stock keeps everyone guessing. Still, the mix of deals, plants, sturdy furniture, deli lunches, and kind service keeps the parking lot busy.
Add a soft serve cone, especially a free one in June, and the detour pretty much sells itself. Highway 15 has a sweet spot, and locals already know where to find it.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.