History of the Store

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In 1890 Frank Seavey, a mariner ready to return from sea and begin life on land paid $600 to have the building erected as a home and store.

Where the sun room is today lies Frank's original entrance.  In fact when your dining in the sun room next time try spotting the large hook in the ceiling, this was used with a block and tackle to help load sacks of heavy grain into the store. 
The original door frame is visible next to the television.
 
 
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In 1950 the store lost customers with the advent of supermarkets and the convenience of modern travel. 
At this time the store became part of the Nation Wide grocery chain, a franchise that was prevalent around Maine in the 50's.


Many features from the original building were replaced by more modern touches like the new corner entrance in the center of the porch. 
 
 
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In 1980's Don and Diane Jackson were running the store. They commissioned an up and coming artist Herbie Rose to paint this picture.
It conveys a feeling of a warm summers day in Boothbay, complete with period cars. 

This painting is kindly on loan from the Jacksons and maybe seen in the lunch room.
 
 
The Store today.........Summer and Winter.
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The left picture shows the sun shining on a typical summers day.  Average temperatures in the summer range around 65 - 80F mark while the Ocean is about 62 - 67F

The right picture shows a typical winter Northeaster snowfall.  Average winter temperatures run anywhere from negative 5F to a whopping negative 28F.  Wind chill can drive the temperature into the high negative thirties!

The store provides welcome refuge for snow plow drivers and brave commuters.
A hot coffee, fresh muffin and some good local 'store' banter make for a welcoming pit stop.

 
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The Store is committed to green values.  During 2009 we replaced two aging compressors which ran the walk - in cooler.   These heavy motors had been running continuously for about 18 years consuming lots of expensive energy and used unfriendly refrigerants. 

They were both replaced with more efficient units which only draw power when needed and they use a much more  Eco - friendly form of refrigerant. 

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The whole building has been converted to the more efficient CF bulbs.  All the thermostats are digitally controlled.  Extra insulation was placed in the roof cavity and stock room. At the end of each working day all equipment that is not required is turned off, we don't use stand by.

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We recycle all plastic, glass, cardboard packaging and soda bottles.
The exterior sign and porch lighting are controlled by timers.  All these efforts have reduced the impact the store has on the local environment and have proved effective in lowering our operating costs.

We are currently working on a plan to bring a new type of solar power charging system which will harness the winter light, this in turn will reduce our summer supply requirements.  Watch this space for more details..........