PARIS – Fueled by doughnuts and coffee, employees of the Paris Farmers Union are gradually setting up a new shop.

The PFU is relocating its Skillins Avenue business to the former Hancock Lumber Building at Main and Charles streets. The scheduled opening is April 1.

According to a news release, the relocation will “add nearly 2,000 square feet of retail space and provide much more parking and far better access for customers’ convenience.” The business on Skillins Avenue operates out of a group of warehouses, while the new location will only have the single building.

“It allows us to do everything in one place,” said Fred Rolfe, retail store operations and marketing manager of the organization.

According to Rolfe, the PFU’s product offering has increased by a third. The higher sales volume creates more job opportunities and also benefits the customers.

“By buying into this location,” he explained, “it allows us to hold the line on pricing and in some instances decrease pricing.”

The PFU bought the new location from Matt Hancock Properties, LLC, for $450,000. The Skillins buildings have not been sold, as the PFU is not sure whether it should sell, lease, or open another operation there.

“We’re still looking at the options,” Rolfe said.

The Skillins Avenue location opened in 1919 as a place for farmers to purchase sugar, flour, and corn in bulk. The proximity to the Grand Trunk Railroad facilitated the delivery of items, and the location proved convenient for local farmers.

The PFU has since expanded, opening 10 retail stores in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In addition to farmers’ items, it sells home and garden supplies. In 2004, owner Peter Chapman purchased the former Chapman Building on Route 26 in Oxford. That location houses the PFU’s corporate offices, central warehouse, wholesale, farm sales and service and municipal contract divisions.

Rolfe said the new location has been extensively remodeled, and is on track to open on schedule. The Skillins location will be open for business until the new location is ready.

“We’re working our butts off,” laughed Rolfe, “but we’re having a lot of fun.”