Meaning – Differences Between ‘Shop,’ ‘Shoppe,’ and ‘Store’

meaning

What are the differences between shop, shoppe, and store?

Best Answer

While I like @Jigar Joshi's answer, I'll provide some American Connotation, if I can. (Caveat, not a professional culturist)

Shop

I would say that a shop is somewhere you go to have a service preformed, or only provides a single or narrowly focused good. Usually contains a workshop of some kind where the goods are made on-site for the customer.

  • Body Shop refers to an auto repair facility (autobody shop)
  • Wood Shop refers to a place where you can go to get custom woodworking done
  • Coffee Shop a place you can go to get hand-made drinks
  • Butcher's Shop a place to get custom cuts of meat

Store

I would say that a store is the more common American term for a place you go to buy something. They usually have many different sections and offer a wider variety of goods than a shop. The goods you purchase are usually made off-site and only stored on location.

  • Department Store buy furnishings and clothes for each room of the house
  • Grocery Store buy food and many other consumables
  • Online Store buy anything! :D

Shoppe

Generally a fancier term, as @Jigar Joshi mentioned, to give an air of authenticity and aristocracy.

  • Coffee Shoppe here you can buy even more expensive fancy coffee.

But where ever you go, you'll end up shopping regardless of the store.