There’s no exact recipe for success when it comes to business longevity. Some of America’s oldest companies have also been owned by the same family for their entire history. Others managed to survive fires, economic downturns, Prohibition, and anything and everything that might bring down an otherwise well-run shop or restaurant.
One constant among the list of the oldest business in each state plus Washington, D.C., is that no matter the industry, these long-lasting companies are beloved by their communities and trusted by their patrons.
There are a lot of restaurants and bars on the list, and a good number of farms and jewelers. A few newspapers and funeral homes appear, along with a ferry service. And the oldest business in the U.S. predates America’s founding by more than 150 years.
