Country Junction Building a 50,000 Square Foot Addition

BY TERRY AHNER TAHNER@TNONLINE.COM of the Times News

Country Junction in Towamensing Township has planned an addition that will grow the “World’s Largest General Store” to nearly its original size.

Owner Jan Everett said that the work on the addition at the store along Route 209 in Forest Inn has already begun, and they are targeting the spring of 2019.

Everett said the walls are up, and they are looking to pour the floor as soon as the rain stops.

Owner Jim Everett said the new addition will add another 50,000-plus square feet of family-oriented adventure as customers navigate the “Yellow Brick Road.”

“Country Junction has always been about family,” Jim said. “Keeping with the nostalgia of the old store, the new addition will offer more hands-on interactive activities for kids and parents and grandparents.”

He added, “Families are always bringing families and friends to County Junction as a tradition. It makes for a wonderful day trip filled with memories.”

Jan said multiple factors were involved in their decision to build.

“We increasingly see a need for family-oriented experiences,” said Jan, who added that their Escape rooms, Laser Tag and Nerf Arena have been growing steadily.

“We’ll be introducing new directions to include family participation, such as themed parties, events and more festivals,” she said. “Hence the new Country Junction Village, which hosted its first major event, The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival, in October.”

Jan said more festivals are planned throughout the year as well.

The original 150,000-square-foot building was leveled by a devastating fire on Oct. 3, 2006.

After the fire — which resulted in a multimillion dollar loss — Jim kept the store functioning by moving all operations to a large all-weather tent and various other structures.

A grand reopening was held at the store in 2010, when about 50,000 square feet was opened.

The new store was constructed on the site of the former store.