Former Long-
Debo Brothers General Merchandise in Moneta, which had been out of operation for
10 years. This was in 1989. It took the Brodts three years, virtually starting over, to
reconstruct and expand the facility for business. Originally opened in 1857 by the
DeBos family, the store has seen a lot of local history. The Brodts speculate that at
one time the store even served as an adjunct funeral parlor for the nearby Diamond
Hill Church. “ We found old coffins stored in one of the out buildings,” Christine
relates.
Years ago this was a busy place. A typical general store, it carried everything a
person needed to live for a week. And the store was a nice people-
Today, Diamond Hill General Store caters to local residents, tourists, and passers-
From the outside, Diamond Hill General looks like a typical operation, with gas
pumps, picnic tables on the deck, some hanging plants, but inside is a world apart.
Artfully clustered in the quaint original structure are the wine shop, antiques and gifts,
gourmet foods, Christmas boutique and even a “Debo’s Nostalgia Corner,” which
contains memorabilia from the original establishment. In the new section, a lunch
counter, deli, and well-
clean and inviting. The Brodts are pleased to offer the largest selection of Virginia
wines at Smith Mountain Lake.
No tour of Diamond Hill General would be complete without a perusal of the garden
center. Everything from pots and fertilizers to real “ out-
are especially proud of the rose collection “40 different varieties“ over 225 rose
bushes and trees for sale. Hostas, astillbe, dogwoods, apple trees, hollies,
evergreens, ferns, and rhododendron “ the variety is mind-
tasting's under the garden center tent are popular.
Diamond Hill General store is a site not to be missed: a slice of yester-
local history, a place to stock up on essentials, a unique source of crafts and gifts.
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