A Century of Heritage: The Story of Cherry’s Store
What began as a surplus store founded by two brothers has become a living testament to American resilience and innovation—fueled by love stories, legendary visits, groundbreaking inclusivity, and generations of hardworking men and women who trusted Cherry’s Store to outfit their lives.
While the Cherry Store closed its doors in 2007, its legacy of craftsmanship, community, and enduring family spirit has been carried on by future generations.
Learn more about Cherry’s Store below. ⬇️
Humble Beginnings
In 1926, brothers Nathan and Maurice “Morris” Cherry launched a venture that would come to define Eastern Shore outfitting for generations. What began as a modest World War I Army-Navy surplus operation grew into one of the most trusted names in American outdoor wear.
By the end of the 1920s, Cherry Store had established five bustling locations—in Wilmington, Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury, and Crisfield—quickly becoming a cornerstone in each of those communities.
Maurice “Morris” Cherry, n.d.
For Morris, the store wasn’t just a livelihood—it led him to love.
While working at the Cambridge location, he met a captivating young woman named Sara at a local basketball game. So compelling was their connection that Morris transferred to the Easton store to be closer to her.
That decision changed his life, and eventually, she became his wife—marking a union of not only hearts, but hometowns.
More Than A Store
A Cherry’s Shopping Spree, n.d.
Beyond business and family, Morris Cherry made history by breaking the color barrier in the 1940s.
At a time when segregation was the norm, he opened Cherry’s doors to people of color—not only welcoming them as customers, but offering them employment in the store.
This progressive stance was groundbreaking for the region and reflected the Cherry family’s commitment to community and equality long before such ideals were widespread.
At Cherry’s, employees were like family. The store fostered a close-knit environment where respect, loyalty, and care were as important as the merchandise on the shelves. Generations of staff formed lifelong bonds, contributing to the warm, welcoming spirit that customers cherished.
A New Generation
In 1960, Morris’s son, Michael “Mike” Cherry, took over the business and led it through a transformative era.
Continuing his father’s spirit of innovation and inclusivity, Mike decided to have the store feature living models in its front window—a striking and lively marketing approach that drew crowds and set Cherry’s apart from competitors.
Rack of Cherry’s shoes, n.d.
Under Mike’s guidance, the store pivoted from its military surplus roots toward a more refined, outdoors-oriented identity with a wholesale edge and a feel reminiscent of L.L. Bean.
His vision carried Cherry’s into a new generation—where the rugged became fashionable and the practical, stylish.
People began saying, “If you can’t find it, go to Abercrombie and Cherry’s.” One legendary moment came when the head of Abercrombie & Fitch, while staying at the Tidewater Inn, was told precisely that and he remarked he didn’t know he had a store in Easton.
Long before the Internet, Cherry Store broke ground with one of the first catalog businesses in American retail. Its reach extended far beyond the Eastern Shore—to customers in remote places like the University of Alaska and across the world.
Everything in Sportswear, From The Skin Out
In the 1970s and 1980s, Mike continued to expand the store’s offerings, designing gear that truly met the needs of those who lived and worked outdoors. From “refrigawear jackets” tailored for watermen and hunters to durable boots and shoes for laborers, his products were as practical as they were pioneering.
Michael “Mike” Cherry, photographed in bullpen jacket by Virginia Ball, n.d.
One of his proudest contributions came in the 1980s, when Mike Cherry designed a bullpen jacket for the Baltimore Orioles—an iconic blend of function and hometown pride.
Mike would bring players from the Orioles to Easton for special events to promote baseball in the area.
In addition to his work at Cherry’s, Mike coached Little League and provided uniforms and equipment. He was posthumously inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in 2024.
The Beginning of the End
In the 1990s through the early 2000s, David Cherry, son of Mike Cherry, joined the family business, carrying the legacy forward. But, in January 2004, David and the store faced one of its greatest challenges: a devastating fire nearly burned Cherry’s to the ground.
“ A firefighter was injured and a 77-year-old landmark was destroyed in three-alarm fire that caused an estimated
$1.5 million in damage to an Easton store Wednesday afternoon, state fire officials said.
The fire, which broke out just before noon at Cherry’s Outdoor Store on West Dover Street, destroyed the store and its contents, according to Deputy State Fire Marshal W. Faron Taylor.
More than 50 firefighters from six companies battled the blaze for two hours. One firefighter suffered a broken hand; he was treated and released at Easton Memorial Hospital.
Taylor said two workers and a customer found the fire in a kitchenette and the customer tried to put it out with a portable extinguisher. When that effort failed, they fled the building.
Electrical wiring in the wall behind the kitchenette overheated and ignited wooden wall studs, Taylor said. ”
With the future uncertain, the Cherry family acted quickly—relocating just up the street across from the post office to keep the business alive.
An Unfortunate Conclusion
Thanks to resilience and the support of the community, the store was rebuilt and returned to its original location, a testament to the Cherry family’s determination and love for their legacy. Sadly, in 2007, after more than 80 years in business, Cherry’s Store was forced to close its doors.
With its old wooden floors, friendly staff, and unmistakable mom-and-pop charm, Cherry’s wasn’t just a store—it was a destination. Locals and travelers alike were drawn to its unique character and quality.
Among its notable visitors were actor Robert Mitchum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Michener, and Baltimore Orioles pitching legend Jim Palmer. These weren’t orchestrated promotions—they were word-of-mouth pilgrimages to a store that had earned its place in American culture.