DURHAM – Durham Variety, this town’s only store for more than 30 years, is now history. A crew from Larrabee Construction demolished the two-story structure on Route 136 in less than two hours Tuesday morning.

The new owners of the property, Mike and Donna Church of Old Brunswick Road, said construction of their new store, which will be called Get & Go, will begin next week. A grand opening of the new facility is planned for July 1.

Wheeler’s Store, as it was originally called, was established by John Wheeler in 1972 and sold to Jane Carr of Pownal in 1984 and renamed Durham Variety. The store closed about two months ago and was recently purchased by the Churches, who also own Church’s Welding.

The Churches plan to construct a modern one-story 40-foot by 60-foot building. They will offer gasoline, groceries and other goods, an eat-in lunch area and deli. They expect to employ a larger work force than previously, at least nine people, Donna Church said.