By JANET BOND
Recorder Staff
BERNARDSTON - Thursday, Jeffery P. Klein and Laura Puchalski
became the new owners of the Country Corner Store.
Klein of Greenfield and Puchalski of Montague had been managing the
store since the end of June for owners Barbara and Jay Herman Wiemers.
"I found myself enjoying really working at a little country store,
said Klein on Friday.
"I can use my culinary background to make soups, homemade meatballs
and meatloaf," Klein said, stressing that the soups were made from
scratch.
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We wanted to offer the town something it hasn't had
for a while, a full service grocery store.
"We've added a variety of meats, fresh salads, made-from-scratch
potato, chicken and ham salads, fresh chili," said the former butcher at
Sunderland's Millstone Market.
He said the store will offer meat bundles, in a variety of selections and for a range of prices.
Klein has more that 20 years experience in food service and restaurant management. Puchalski was a baker for Mirlings Bakery before she left to work at Millstone Market.
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Klein said she would be helping the store expand its offerings by baking fresh breads, pies and cookies in the near future.
"It's a golden opportunity. The store is historical, it's been around since 1868," Klein said, adding that he thinks he and Puchalski are the tenth owners since 1868.
The store will continue to offer beer, wine, movie rentals and local products such as crafts, maple syrup and produce from Bernardston farmers. In addition, Klein and Puchalski have already brought in Java Hut coffee, roasted in Sunderland. |
Klein said he enjoys watching folks stand around talking, drinking coffee and reading newspapers in the morning.
"I think a lot of people realize we want to bring something good for the town," he said, noting he'd already helped the fire department and Kiwanis by selling them meat for their functions at his cost.
"We're trying to go back to the roots of the old country store," Klein said.
The store will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
But, Klein said he is usually in the store much earlier, so "if the lights are on, come on in."
You can reach Janet Bond at
jbond@recorder.com
or (413) 772-0261, ext 263
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