DIXFIELD – After 10 years working in Boston, John “Chip” Towle decided to come home to begin his own business career.

Towle, son of Norman “Butch” and Donna Towle, owners of Towle’s Hardware and Lumber, will be the fourth generation to operate a business in his hometown.

“This is my first business venture and an opportunity to be my own boss,” said Towle, who on Tuesday broke ground for a new corner store and gas station that will be more than twice the size of the current establishment, The Corner Store.

His parents bought the existing 28-by-58-foot convenience store in 2001 from Irving fuels, which operates Bluecanoe convenience stores, and renovated it. By October, a modern, 40-by-100-foot store with easier access to gasoline pumps will be completed on a lot between the existing store and the Fire Station.

Towle plans to expand the number of items that are offered as well as include a dining area on the Main Street side of the new building.

“They’ll be more coolers, more kitchen space, more retail and pick-up items,” he said.

Once the new store is up and running, the old one will be taken down to allow more parking for both the convenience store and the adjacent hardware store, he said.

But the old store will be there for virtually the entire time the new business is being constructed with only a few days closed.

Several new employees will likely be added to the 10 employees now working at The Corner Store. Towle said the staff has been supportive of the venture.

Towle has plans for other additions to his business, but he’s not talking about them now. He does have a daily blog describing what’s happening at the building site.

Right now, he’s busy making preparations and inspecting the land with his Falmouth contractors, Marwin Construction.

He won’t say how much money he’s sinking into the new business, only that it’s a significant investment.

Towle follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Charles Towle, who began the hardware store in 1911. John L. Towle then took it over until Chip’s parents took ownership.

“It’s great to be the fourth generation, and it’s great to be home,” he said.