Heather and Dave Nivus receive a certificate of appreciation from the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, presented by Bobbi Vandenbulcke

BETHEL — The new year marks the 30th anniversary of the Good Food store which celebrated its anniversary with a variety of it foods, including cookies and a charcuterie board, arranged in the holiday style.

Good Food store snacks, arranged in holiday style for the 12/18 business after hours

The Good Food Store was an idea formed by Dave and Heather Nivus . “We were both working in the bar business,” said Heather. She said that she and Dave often would hear about items that locals were looking for but could not get at the supermarket. From there they decided, “Let’s open a store with everything that Bethel needs and doesn’t have”

Originally, the store took up the bottom floor of the Nivus’ house. However, over time Heather said, “The business kind of took over the house.” As it grew it added the features that the Good Food store is known for today – sandwiches, prepared foods, and baked goods. Branching out even further, the store expanded to include the Smokin’ Good Barbecue trailer in 2010, transforming it into the business that sits there today. A large scale renovation was made in 2016, but the business has kept its model the same over time.

When it comes to non-homemade products, the Good Food Store does its best to keep things local. “We sell a lot of local foods,” said Heather. Some of these local products include Greenwood bean coffee, and pasta sourced from Petrullo farms. As well, the ingredients used in the prepared foods are often locally sourced as well. “We try to focus on a lot of Maine,” said Heather. “If we can’t get it locally, we try to get it from Maine.”

 

This story has been updated to correct an inaccurate opening date for Smokin’ Good Barbecue.

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