Matthew Watson General Store

The historic town of Carcross is home to only 436 residents, but despite its small size, it does house one of the Yukon’s most unique shopping experiences. The Matthew Watson General Store is the oldest store in the entire territory, having originally opened its doors in 1898.  Despite being more than a century old, the store hasn’t changed all that much. Candy is still sold out of glass jars, timeless gasoline signs adorn the walls and wooden packing boxes act as shelves. But don’t mistake it for a museum, as the store is full of regional First Nations arts and crafts, like bison horn carvings and custom-made knives. Locally made moccasins, mukluks and leathers round out an extensive clothing selection, while a second room is chock-full of Yukon essentials such as fleece jackets, rain ponchos, mosquito nets and bug repellent.  There is also plenty of old-school confectionary, along with gourmet ice cream and plenty of snack foods to stock up on before continuing the road trip down the Klondike Highway or boarding the Bennett Train Journey on the White Pass Railway. 

Practical Info

The Matthew Watson General Store is a Yukon Historic Site in Carcross, Yukon, located 46 miles (74 km) south of Whitehorse, Yukon, and 68 miles (110 km) north of Skagway, Alaska, on the Klondike Highway. It is open seasonally, from May through September.