Minnesota’s oldest general store will mark its 175th anniversary on Saturday with free cake and coffee in Marine on St. Croix.

The Marine General Store is a local landmark in the tiny Washington County town, where residents have gathered to pick up groceries and swap gossip for generations.

A black and white photo of the Marine General Store in Marine on St. Croix taken sometime in the 1970s. (Courtesy of Washington County Historical Society)

Saturday’s festivities, which are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., will also include special bargains on select items, a musical performance at noon, and a few surprises, according to the store’s manager.

Founded in 1849 by the Judd, Walker & Co. sawmill, the store is one of the oldest continuously operated businesses in Minnesota. Its current home at Maple and Judd streets was built in 1870.

RELATED: Marine General Store was inspiration for ‘Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery’

In addition to grocery items, the Marine General Store offers soups, salads and sandwiches at its deli counter, locally sourced dairy products and fresh breads, buns and rolls from its in-house bakery.

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