Nineteenth century Finchford boasted two general stores, on the East and West sides of Main Street (Finchford Road). They were the Frank Bowers and the P.D. (Doc) Finch stores, which alternated as post office. One, the Bowers store, survived until the 1980s. This two-story wooden building was also home to lodge meetings, dances and "soap shows" - a variety of entertainments, which sold soap between acts. The store burned down in 1927, but was rebuilt by O.E. Cassaday, and still exists today as a private residence. In 1928 the business was purchased by Ed Messerly, then passed on to his son, Francis, and sold to Robert Messerly in 1949. Robert and Lila Messerly ran the store until the 1980s, when it was sold, but after a few tries by local owners, it closed for good, a victim of the convenience store and the supermarket.