Adapted from Colleen Kane’s original post, @CatskillsPaperTrail
The Sullivan Catskills has long been known for its fly fishing heritage, and in September 1984, this drew an unexpected visitor to Trout Town USA – former President Jimmy Carter. Arriving in Roscoe for a fundraiser at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center, Carter was greeted by excited residents and a welcoming banner spanning the street.
During his visit, Carter stopped at The Little Store, a beloved local institution, where owner Bob Bock was having a sale on fishing boots. The former president purchased a pair of hip boots – and local legend has it that Bob never cashed the check!
For 52 years, The Little Store was more than just a shop – it was the heart of Roscoe. It offered everything from fishing licenses and camping supplies to toys, model kits, arts and crafts, comic books, and their famous house-made fudge. WJFF’s Jason Dole remembered it as the place where “Dad would go for deer license & ammo,” while another longtime customer, John S., recalled getting his first fly rod there over 50 years ago, “searching for the perfect fly through all those draws.”
The store was known for its dedicated staff, including Joann Bowers, who was considered “part of the fixtures.” Known for giving 200% to her work, she embodied old-school customer service. Stories tell of her quietly helping local children who came up short when buying candy, saying she “found” the extra coins on the floor.
When The Little Store closed in 2017, citing challenges from online sales, increased overhead, and changing demographics, it marked the end of an era. However, since last fall, the space has found new life. Half of the historic building has become home to local favorite Grizzly Bagels, where proprietor Zach Scheitlin bakes fresh bagels daily in creative flavors including za’atar.
This transformation from presidential fishing boots to artisanal bagels reflects the evolving character of our Sullivan Catskills communities – preserving our heritage while embracing new traditions.
