Country Junction
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[edit] Country Junction's beginnings
The store began in 1984 as The Service Team insulation and construction company and added hardware sales and a home center. It was renamed Country Junction in 1997 and expanded to include home, garden, gifts, and decor items.
The main building located in Lehighton, Pennsylvania kept growing over the years, with construction workers from The Service Team side of the business doing the work.
Country Junction has outlets in Wind Gap, Quakertown, Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, Pennsylvania but it was the main store that became a landmark tourist destination. It was over 13 acres large and covered over 170,000 feet (52,000 m) of land.
On the morning of October 3rd, 2006 the family-owned retail store in Lehighton was leveled by a fire.
The store was known for its animated figures, life-size statuary, and themed areas such as a "Pirates Cove," "A Bit of Italy," "The Wharf," and a rain forest. They also featured wildlife exhibits, a restaurant with theater, a coffee shop, and a petting zoo.
In November, 2006 Country Junction opened their temporary store on the adjacent property under a gigantic white tent making the lumber yard, pet shop, home decor items, hardware, and rentals available for customers.
Jim Everett, the store's owner, plans to rebuild and hopes to have a building up by the end of 2008.
[edit] Becoming a Tourist attraction
Being dubbed, "The World's Largest General Store," many people traveled out of state to visit or shop in the impressive store. It was featured on the Travel Channel.
