Clayton isn’t a shopping destination in the usual sense. There are no strip malls, no chain stores, no carefully curated boutiques with matching awnings.
What Clayton offers is something better: the hunt.
Here, shopping is an expedition. You walk into a store not knowing what you’ll find, and you leave with something you didn’t know existed — a piece of Depression-era glassware, a hand-stitched quilt, a cast-iron skillet older than your grandmother. The treasures are real, and they’re waiting for the ones patient enough to look.
This is how it used to be everywhere. It still is here.
In Clayton Proper
The Mercantile
Downtown Clayton,
Tucked into downtown Clayton, The Mercantile is the kind of place where you’ll find something unexpected in every corner — collectibles, vintage gifts, antiques, and items you didn’t know you were looking for until you saw them. The owners call it “one of the most unique stores around,” and they’re not wrong.
Small-town shops like this are where the real finds hide. Bring your patience and your sense of curiosity.
Kenny's Silo Store General Store · Hardware · Fishing · Boiled Peanuts · Everything Else
Kenny’s is the kind of store they don’t make anymore — a true general store, family-owned and operated, where you can pick up fishing tackle, plumbing fittings, homemade jams, pocket knives, ammo, fresh produce, and hot boiled peanuts all under one roof.
The real draw? The atmosphere. “Friendly service, good conversation and a game of checkers is always free,” they say. Sit on the porch with a cold drink and let the afternoon pass. You came for supplies; you’ll stay for the company.
Pro tip: They also run Hwy 198 Diner next door. Grab lunch while you’re there.
Kenny's Silo Store General Store · Hardware · Fishing · Boiled Peanuts · Everything Else
Kenny’s is the kind of store they don’t make anymore — a true general store, family-owned and operated, where you can pick up fishing tackle, plumbing fittings, homemade jams, pocket knives, ammo, fresh produce, and hot boiled peanuts all under one roof.
The real draw? The atmosphere. “Friendly service, good conversation and a game of checkers is always free,” they say. Sit on the porch with a cold drink and let the afternoon pass. You came for supplies; you’ll stay for the company.
Pro tip: They also run Hwy 198 Diner next door. Grab lunch while you’re there.
Edens Fashion Boutique Fashion, Fun and Novelties
Downtown Clayton
More than just fashion — Ruby and The Rebels is a boutique with personality, offering clothing, accessories, and curated home goods. It’s proof that style doesn’t require a big city and that Clayton’s downtown has more life than you might expect.
Stop in, say hello, and see what catches your eye.
The Art of the Hunt
A few things to know before you go:
Hours vary. Small-town shops keep small-town hours. Call ahead if you’re making a trip specifically for one store.
Cash is king. Some shops prefer it. Bring some just in case.
Talk to the owners. They know what’s in the back room. They know what just came in. They know the story behind that dresser you’re eyeing. The conversation is half the experience.
Take your time. This isn’t a quick errand. This is an afternoon. Maybe two.
A Note to Treasure Hunters
If you’re the type who pulls off the road when you see a hand-painted “ANTIQUES” sign… if you’ve ever driven an hour out of your way to check out a flea market you saw on a map… if you understand that the best finds come from the least likely places — Clayton and Barbour County are worth the trip.
All roads lead to Clayton. What you find here is yours to discover.
Hidden Treasures
The Courthouse Square
The original courthouse was a log structure, later replaced by a brick neoclassical building in 1852. By the 1870s, the city of Eufaula had far outpaced Clayton in population growth and commercial importance. Rather than lose the seat entirely, Clayton and Eufaula reached an unusual compromise in 1879 — Clayton and Eufaula citizens agreed to build an additional courthouse in Eufaula. Under the arrangement, criminal and civil matters arising in the eastern half of the county were heard in Eufaula, while those in the western half were heard in Clayton. The unique arrangement still stands.
The Downtown Murals
In recent years, local artists and community members have added murals to Clayton's downtown, celebrating the town's heritage and breathing color into weathered walls. These aren't slick or corporate — they're homegrown expressions of pride in a place that many have forgotten.
The Country Roads
The real treasures of Clayton are often found on the back roads — old farmsteads, country churches, fields that stretch to the tree line. Barbour County Wildlife Management Area, located near Clayton off Barbour County Road 49, offers outstanding deer, turkey, and wild hog hunting opportunities. But even if you don't hunt, these roads reward the curious — the ones willing to drive slowly, stop often, and look.