Steve and Rhonda Jones have sold Steve’s Market and Deli of Wilton to her brother Roger Williams, right. The store name will change to Steve’s Family Market, Williams said.
WILTON — Papers were signed Tuesday turning Steve’s Market over to a new owner. But it’s still in the family.
Steve and Rhonda Jones sold the busy Depot Street convenience store to her brother Roger Williams, of Turner.
Most everything will stay as is, Williams said. The name will change to Steve’s Family Market.
He has a few ideas, including a new variety of pizza. He plans to continue serving sandwiches, pizza, beverages and groceries. He will also continue the store’s catering business, one well-known only by word of mouth.
“I have mixed feelings about selling,” Steve Jones said. “I absolutely love this store. I was 23 when I bought it.”
He loves the business, but the long hours take a toll. The store is open 120 hours per week, serving 600-800 customers daily, year-round, Jones said. More than 1,000 customers were served July 4.
He’s always on call, nights and weekends, Rhonda said.
After staying on a short period to help his brother-in-law get started, Jones is moving on to a new venture. He has acquired a new franchise for temporary roll-off bins, the first franchise in the state, he said.
Known as Bin There Dump That, the business provides dumpsters and bins for 10-12 days, along with special or extra services, he said.
The Canadian business is growing fast, Jones said. It started when a contractor noticed dumpsters were ugly and often harmed the property. Under the new business, boards are set down for the bin to sit on and other services are provided to protect the property while the bin is there.
Jones has already been trained in Toronto and plans to develop the Augusta to Portland area franchise from his home in Turner. He’ll start with 24 bins and hopes to build up to 75 to 90 bins.
Williams retired last month from Charlie’s Motor Mall in Augusta after working in the finance department there for 25 years.
“This is an opportunity to go on to a new challenge, be my own boss and own my own business,” Williams said.
He plans to continue serving ATV and snowmobile riders coming off the Whistle Stop Trail near the intersection of Routes 2, 4 and 156 along with the regular customers who stop in for coffee, breakfast and pizza, he said.
abryant@sunmediagroup.net
Steve’s Market in Wilton.
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