CANTON – Chris Campbell and his wife, Diane, are the driving force behind the changes taking place at Canton Variety. They assumed management of the store in September of last year and the transfer of deeds became final on Jan. 18. The husband-and-wife duo are high school sweethearts from the neighboring town of Buckfield.
Both Campbells, who are in their mid-20s, also are former students at University of Southern Maine. Diane is putting her bachelor’s degree in business to work working full time at the store. Chris us carving out time to work on the store, while working full time as an accountant in nearby Livermore Falls and managing two rental properties in Dixfield.
In a recent interview, the couple revealed they expect to make many more changes in the store. “This place has always had such great potential,” said Diane Campbell gazing fondly around the store. “And it has a great location,” she said, gesturing to the junction of Route 108 and Route 140 in Canton center.
According to the couple, plans include updating and nearly doubling the restaurant portion of the store while maintaining the variety of groceries and household items currently offered. In addition to the standard variety store fare, they have begun offering daily homemade specials like baked chicken, beef stew or meatloaf to eat in or take out.
In the coming months, the Campbells expect to add a bottle redemption center and Laundromat located in the back part of the building. All of the interior changes are slated for completion by midsummer, but they expect the major exterior work to take a little longer.
They also are hoping to return to selling gasoline.
Allen Ray, a local patron says the new owners are, “A real asset to the community.” He goes on to explain their willingness to please their customers with simple things from specially ordered wine to unconventional pizza toppings. He goes on to explain that it is this kind of personal service that sets local owners apart from chain retailers.
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