Davoll's General Store set to switch ownership in mid-June

May 18, 2016

The yellow building with chipping green shutters is the same building that has sat at 1228 Russells Mills Road for more than 200 years. Joseph Glennon has owned Davoll’s General Store for the past 41 years, but that’ll change come June.

The pending sale is set to close on June 14, and new owners Kim Arruda and Jim Chouinard plan on adding fresh paint, a new roof, and a cafe, said real estate broker Will Milbury. Milbury said he won’t disclose the sale amount until the transaction is final. However, the 27,255 square-foot lot is listed for $595,000.

Arruda insisted they're not the new owners yet, but said they have no intention to pull out of their purchase and sale agreement. Assuming the percolation test—which measures the soil's ability to accommodate a septic system—goes well on June 1 and the couple receives permitting from the town, then they will be the owners, she said.

“I’m getting older, I’ve got my own practice that keeps me busy for 40-50 hours a week, and it’s time for me to slow down,” said Glennon, a 76-year-old eye doctor.

Glennon said he bought the store with his wife, Beverly, and in-laws, Virginia and Wilfred Morrison, for $120,000 in 1975. “We are now selling everything out more or less because the new owners are coming in,” said Glennon, pointing out the 50- and 75-percent off signs around the store.

Although Glennon has reduced his inventory, he said he plans on renting space from the next owner to continue selling their Byers’ Choice collection—handcrafted Christmas carolers fit for a festive mantlepiece.

“I told him ‘There’s no way we can get out of here,’” said Glennon. “Without a doubt, we have one of the biggest collections of Byers’ Choice in the country.”

Glennon said he’s partial to the antiques the store currently sells. “It doesn’t say 'occupied,' so you know it’s before the second world war,” he said, dating a China set that he said is made in Japan.

The property has been on the market for nearly a year, but Glennon said the buyers started showing interest three months ago.