PERU – Christine Oldham is realizing a lifelong dream. She and her daughter Jennifer Theriault are buying Worthley Pond Variety and Restaurant.

The business had been closed since August and was for sale for several months. The mother-daughter team reopened it Dec. 1.

When the previous owners approached Oldham with the offer, she quickly accepted, she said. Oldham has worked in the store overlooking the beach at Worthly Pond for years and always dreamed of its being a family-run business.

The two are joined by Theriault’s daughters, 5-year-old twins Kelsey and Alexis and 8-year-old Kaitlyn.

According to their mother, the twins like to clear tables so they can collect the tips.

Christine’s husband, Randy Oldham, is the maintenance man, and is joined by his son-in-law on weekends.

“I am excited because this is going to work,” he said.

Randy Oldham was raised on the pond when there were only four or five full-time residents.

“It was boring then, but we did ice skating and ice fishing in the winter and swimming, fishing and boating in the summer,” he said.

Christine remembers when the beach was full of people, and there was a large bathhouse for people to use next to the store.

“It was the place where families came to spend the day. There were also three rental cabins in the rear of the store that Randy is in the process of restoring,” she said.

“The locals have been supportive in every way,” she said on recent day as a resident enters the store carrying a large plant as a congratulatory gift.

The new owners said they look forward to serving breakfast to the many snowmobilers who will soon be using the trail beside the store. They also are hoping to have business breakfasts and are inviting small groups to call for reservations. Breakfast is served all day and different specials are offered each day along with the regular hot sandwiches and pizza.

“It will take lots of hard work and complete dedication, but we plan for this to work,” said Theriault.

The hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.