Calef’s Country Store

A great place to pick up some authentic New England items. It creates a feeling of nostalgia every time I walk in, the penny candy, the old school candy that is very hard to find in «regular» stores like mallow cups, skybar, candy cigarettes, Teaberry gum, etc.
There’s also a whole wall of salsas, hot sauces, maple syrups, and such, most are locally made.
In the back, there is a deli where you can get lunch, they also have a relatively big selection of cheeses. In the deli, there’s also a soda cooler with class bottle sodas, again, most are all made locally.
Prices are a bit steep, but if you’re looking for a trip down memory lane, this is your place.

I have been going to Caleb’s Country Store for many years. Those ginger snaps are so good and so are their pastries. My best purchase is their ham. Their hot dogs are so good and the cheeses are the best. An old fashioned store with various goodies all over the store. Sandwiches on site with coolers of good drinks. Visit the store and get a time gone by feeling of the good olé days. Love it here at Caleb’s Country Store.

My family and I have been visiting Calef’s Country Store for years! It’s a great place and the cheese is amazing. During my most recent visit 08.06.15 I purchased some extra sharp cheddar cheese and couldn’t wait to have some once I got home. Unfortunately it tasted «off» almost like a super mild regular grocery store bought cheese. So I wrapped the cheese back up and decided I was going to bring it back the following day. When I arrived at the store the next day to make an exchange I was made to feel awful for returning something that simply didn’t meet my expectations. Mind you I have never returned anything prior this. I have never had to I’ve always been extremely happy with their cheese. Their store return policy which I have posted below states that they will promptly refund or exchange anything if it doesn’t meet your expectations and will do so with no questions asked. The cashier and the gentleman whom I’m assuming was either the manager or owner was quite annoyed he stated that he was «going to have to throw the cheese away now» and that «he couldn’t return the item because it had been opened» he did give me a different cheese which is the one I was going to exchange it for but it was smaller and less expensive than the original cheese I had purchased the one I had originally purchased was $ 11.43 and the one the gentleman offered me in exchange was $ 9.23. I am just writing this review because I was completely take taken back by the lack of customer service I was given. No customer should be made to feel wrong or awful for simply wanting to exchange an item that didn’t meet their expectations. Especially since their website clearly states they will do so promptly and with no questions asked. I don’t think I will be returning to Calef’s after this experience. Which is unfortunate because I really did love that place.
Your Return Policy?
Every item we sell must meet or exceed your expectations. If it doesn’t we will promptly exchange it or refund your money no questions asked.

I love watching them make the most delicious deli sandwiches I’ve ever had. If I lived in Barrington, NH I would be there every day!
I love their selection for candy! Even, tho I’m an adult I always have fun filling up a bag of candy. Also, their soda is incredible good.
To top it off, I love their selection of cheese, I wish I had enough money to buy all their cheeses in bulk!
I also love their selection of all their products!

Expensive for what you are getting… But keep in mind, part of what you are paying for is that old small town feel. Good sandwiches, good chocolate, good baking mixes. Love the hot pepper jelly.

I was hoping for a bit more from this place after hearing all the hype as I’m a fan of old general stores and local products. They carry an assortment of items, but many aren’t even from NH. The home made ginger snaps were the best part, but other than that, it’s just another store that sells cheeses and canned jellies and preserves and the prices are higher than other places.

Calefs is a great store with some really awesome supplies. They have an excellent menu with reasonable prices. I especially enjoy the wraps menu. This store has lots of knick knacks and treats for your long and boring trek across New Hamsphire.
I will be returning here on my next drive thru.

ok place, very good cheese and sandwiches, things have changed breads and pastries made elsewhere shipped in, the more you look the more you realize not much is made there lots of Stonewall Kitchen type stuff with califs stickers on them but it is presented nice even if its a fake

I bought 4 lbs of cheese from the deli for christmas gifts. I also picked up a lb of fudge. I paid with a credit card, so didn’t notice until I got home that it cost me 75 dollars! Looking at the packages, I noticed that the cheese rang up at 18.99 a pound. I called the store to report the error and was told that is indeed the right price for the cheese. The man I spoke to said he would discuss it with the owner and have them call me. I never heard back from them. Apparently repeat business is not what they’re after.
Nice store, country goods and whatnot, but beware the nineteen dollar a pound cheese!

Calef’s Country Store is a wonderful hometown New England landmark. They have the best cheese on earth! I have been going there since I was a kid with my dad. Nothing has changed. Perfect then, perfect now!

We’ve been coming here for many, many years. It’s a popular destination for my family and I to drive the 45 minutes one way to visit. Unfortunately, while it’s still good, many things have changed resulting in a slightly lower grade than the 5 stars it used to be. A great place for kids to take a paper bag and fill with penny candy. Well, not so much penny and more like dimes and quarters now compared to 20 years ago, but it’s a modern day penny candy selection plus inflation. Our kids have loved it for years. The fresh bread and donuts are great. We used to be able to get blueberry milk, but apparently, the milk supplier has changed. Now, every time we go in, we can’t get it on the right day where they have coffee or chocolate milk in stock. We’ve asked the employees many times when the milk arrives. We’ve arrived the day of, the next day, etc., and delivery keeps changing or delayed delivery, etc. We haven’t been able to buy a milk in more than 2 years and we visit at least 10 times per year. Cheeses are good along with the large array of other products in the store to choose from. Still worth the visit.

I’ve lived in Barrington for almost 10 years, not far from Calefs. We have always enjoyed going to Fine Foods for a home made sandwich, and a real pickle! Though pricey, always worth it!!!
We heard the store recently changed ownership, and admittedly haven’t been for lunch in several months. Decided on getting sandwiches this weekend and were GREATLY disappointed! Price still high, but bread very dry (almost stale), and sandwiches were notably smaller. Mentioned to a neighbor who shared similar recent experience. Too bad! What was once a hidden gem, is now just another over priced bad place for lunch!
Still fun to visit, and a good atmosphere, but get lunch elsewhere! It’ll be cheaper for sure, and WAY better!

I really loved this place but over the past years the selection seems to have dwindeled as far as the items they carry. I know some country stores in other areas of NH carry a more diverse selection of items beyond food. Here you will find more food items. There are a few items I always get here such as homemade peanut butter, pepper jelly, and their ginger snaps are great. The marinades all have high fructose corn syrup in them so I won’t buy them because that is a horrible thing for your body. I prefer more natural marinades. Their dried soups are pretty good here too!

A very nice little country store with some great cheddar cheese. They also still have penny candy which is fun for the kids and enough touristy items to keep most moms and dads occupied.

I LOVE this store. It’s homey, smells wonderful, has so much to offer. Easily something for everyone. The staff are friendly and helpful.
And then there’s the sandwiches. After having had multiple dismal, and I mean grim sandwich experiences recently and locally, I was elated and thrilled to have the best ever meatloaf sandwich at Calef’s. The meatloaf was flavorful, moist and tender and WARM. The bread was fresh and soft. The relish was tangy without being overpowering. This sandwich epitomizes exactly what I expect from a meatloaf sandwich. And the price at 5.99 is spot on dollar for value. Very happy customers :)

Calef’s Country Store just makes me so happy. My boyfriend and I come here regularly to buy their smoky cheese, spices, and penny candy. They have an amazing cheese selection with samples of each one. They have a huge selection of mustards and hot sauces and jellies. We plan on returning soon to buy their balsamic vinegar (you can refill the bottle here for a discounted price too)! Last time I was here, I alsl bought honey sticks and maple candy. Simple things that remind me of my childhood just make me so happy :)

I love this little country store; it has always been a favorite for sandwiches, and I almost always get a little chunk of cheese in my stocking on Christmas (I love their Rat Trap Cheddar!). Still set up in old-​timey country store fashion with penny candy, homemade jams and relishes, and (yes) a pickle bin. Feel the history of the location in the creaking floorboards as you make your way to the back deli counter…
*I don’t eat meat often… but I make an exception for Calef’s maple-​turkey sandwich on homemade oatmeal bread (with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and I ask for the dill pickle and cheese ON the sandwich — they might roll their eyes at this mild inconvenience as it is not normally a menu option). If you get the special, you get that stack of goodness, a drink, and a dessert (up front… you won’t be able to choose just one) for somewhere between 7 – 9 $.
*My heaven: Calef’s ginger snaps TOPPED with a piece of their snappy cheddar (heck, make a ginger snap sandwich between TWO pieces of cheese). Perfect combo of ginger KAPOW! and creamy cheddar MMMM!
*My only negative: the hours. I now live near Boston, so by the time I’ve winded my way up to home country it’s too late to grab a bite at the Sto’ah. M-​Sat 8−6pm, Sun 8−5pm
*Try out their recipe for Hot Pepper Jelly Cheesecake (sounds weird — tastes incredible, and a hell’uva surprise if you bring it as a party favor!).
Definitely the place for urbanites to come and oo-​and-​ahh about how «cute little country people must live,» but for those of us who call this side of NH home, it’s just an f-​in’ awesome place to grab a bite (…and a huge block of cheese) for the road.

This little store is one of my favorite places ever to visit. My boyfriend’s family lives right down the street and coming to Calef’s always feels like home to me.
The old wood floors, the barrels of pickles, the candy WAGON! The back has a huge cheese section. There are always fresh baked goodies and breads. I have gotten old fashioned candies and gifts such as relishes, marmalades, bread/​pancake mixes.
I wish I was there now– there is no Calef’s Country Store in New Orleans.

Calef’s Country store is a great old country general store. They have all sorts of penny candy that you can fill a bag with.
They also have homemade bread which is delicious. Homemade cider donuts. Homemade cookies, whoopie pies, fudge, I could go on and on here.
They have lots of cheese’s which you can ask for a sample before you buy. They also make their own cheese spreads which are awesome. They do make sandwiches to go.
If you on your way up North taking Rte 125 stop in I guarantee you will be happy you did as you will find of lots of goodies you cannot just find everywhere.
We always stop here after we go to the Christmas Dove, literally almost across the street. Both awesome places.

This store, is the epitome of New Hampshire. It has old and creeky wood floors, big barrels full of kettle corn (and pickles!), homemade just about everything… and if its not made on site, its made locally. Maple syrup, jams/​jellies of every combination and type, a big candy wagon, a section of baked goods and breads, gifty NH items and more…
In the back is a deli counter with sandwiches and prepared foods to go, which are ALL amazingly delish. Also, the CHEESE. They make their own cheeses that are all amazing (you can sample ALL of them!!!)
I recommend the CHAMPAGNE cheese OR smokey cheddar! Mmm Mmm Mmmmmmmm.
It DOES get crowded on weekends, so beware. Prices? Good, not cheap, but also not super expensive for a place that has all these delish finds. I highly recommend.