Buzz
In today’s fast-paced world, businesses often come and go quickly. It’s uncommon to find shops that have thrived for decades, much less centuries. Yet, against the odds, certain establishments have endured for an astonishingly long period. In some regions, customers still purchase books or bicycles from the same shops their ancestors visited—or dine at restaurants that once served ancient warriors and adventurers. These shops rank among the oldest continuously operating stores globally, each holding a record for endurance, whether as the oldest of their kind worldwide or within their nation, and all remain in their original locations.
1. Moravian Book Shop // America’s Oldest Bookstore
Established in 1745, the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, holds the title of the oldest continuously running bookstore in the United States (the Bertrand Bookstore in Portugal, which opened 13 years prior, is widely regarded as the oldest in the world). Originally focused on religious texts, the Moravian adapted over time and now offers a vast selection of books in its expansive 15,000-square-foot space. Employees often share stories of the shop feeling haunted by its rich history—some even claim a friendly ghost occasionally reminds them to switch off forgotten appliances.
2. St. Peter’s Stiftskeller // The Oldest Restaurant in Austria
Stiftskeller St. Peter, 1907. | brandstaetter images/GettyImagesSt. Peter’s Stiftskeller asserts that it was referenced in a document dating back to 803 CE. If accurate, it stands as the oldest restaurant in Austria—and potentially the oldest globally. Situated within St. Peter’s Abbey in Salzburg, this restaurant and inn accommodated French soldiers during the Napoleonic wars and is said to have catered to notable figures ranging from Christopher Columbus and Charlemagne to Bill Clinton and Clint Eastwood.
3. Pearson Cycles // The World’s Oldest Bicycle Shop
Situated in Sutton, London, UK, Pearson Cycles
4. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan // The World’s Oldest Hotel
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. | 663highland, Wikimedia Commons // CC by SA 3.0Established in 705 CE in Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has been operated by the same family for 52 generations. Nestled at the base of the South Japanese Alps, this hot spring inn has welcomed guests ranging from ancient samurai to contemporary travelers for over a thousand years. Renowned for its opulent accommodations and soothing mountain streams, the hotel holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest hotel in the world.
5. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba // The World’s Oldest Pizzeria
First established as a street food stall in 1738, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba became a full-fledged restaurant in Naples, Italy, in 1830. Recognized as the world’s oldest pizzeria, the iconic eatery utilized lava rocks from Mount Vesuvius to construct its ovens. While it didn’t invent pizza, the restaurant played a pivotal role in elevating the humble street food into a gourmet dining experience.
6. Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy // The World’s Oldest Pharmacy
Founded by Dominican monks in 1221, the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy has been crafting medicines, soaps, and colognes for Florence, Italy, for over 800 years—and remains in its original location. The pharmacy boasts stunning painted ceilings, a museum, and a wide array of products for sampling and purchase. Among its most renowned offerings, as noted by Atlas Obscura, is a smelling salt known as Aceto dei Sette Ladri (Seven Thieves Vinegar), which, according to lore, was used by grave robbers to ward off infection during the plague.
7. and 8. Carl’s Drug and C.O. Bigelow // America’s Oldest Pharmacies
C.O. Bigelow Building at 412 Sixth Avenue in New York City. | Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0Two stores vie for the title of the oldest operating pharmacy in the United States: Carl’s Drug in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and C.O. Bigelow in New York City. Carl’s Drug asserts it began operations in 1825 and, despite several changes in ownership and location, continues to serve the Greencastle community. Meanwhile, C.O. Bigelow has been dispensing medicines and remedies from its Greenwich Village location since 1838. While not as ancient as Santa Maria Novella, its nearly two centuries in New York City have seen it serve notable figures, including Thomas Edison (who reportedly treated an injured finger there), Samuel Clemens (known as Mark Twain), filmmaker John Waters, and the rock band New York Dolls.
9. R J Balson & Son // The UK’s Oldest Butcher Shop
The Balson family of Bridport, England, has been in the meat trade since 1515, when John Balson began selling meat at a local market. They established their permanent shop in 1880 and continue to offer meats and specialty sausages from the same location. As their website states, “The family joke is that we’ve never earned enough to retire.” The shop was highlighted in a 2014 BBC program about Britain’s oldest family businesses.
10. The Oldest Sweet Shop // The World’s Oldest Candy Store
The shop now aptly named the Oldest Sweet Shop was originally called “The Old Sweet Shop.” Established in 1827 in Pateley Bridge, England, it has a rich history. “For me, sweets are tied to memories,” said former bank manager Keith Tordoff, who managed the shop for two decades, in a 2013 interview with The Telegraph. “Just like a song, sweets evoke childhood memories—whether it’s the treats your grandparents gave you or the Lovehearts you shared with a crush. A 97-year-old woman once visited and recalled her last trip to the shop at age 5. She remarked that, aside from the counter’s position, nothing had changed.”
In 2021, Tordoff sold the shop to Ben Howie, a longtime customer. “This shop has fascinated me since I was a child,” Howie told BBC News. “The history and heritage here are incredible—every part of this shop, from the floorboards up, tells a story.”
11. Le Bon Marché // The World’s Oldest Department Store
Le Bon Marché around 1900. | Apic/GettyImagesIf you’ve ever returned a clothing item for a refund or browsed through a mail-order catalog, you owe it to Le Bon Marché: As reported by CNN, the Parisian retailer pioneered these innovations and holds the title of the world’s oldest department store. Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut took over the shop—originally a novelty store at rue du Bac and rue de Sèvres—in 1852, but they envisioned something far greater: a “cathedral of modern commerce.” The store relocated to its current address at rue de Sèvres and rue Velpeau in 1869, and today, Le Bon Marché is under the ownership of LVMH Group.
