Old general stores have become a rarity, and Wiscasset is about to lose one that's been on the corner of Water and Main streets since 1949.

Owner David Stetson recently announced he will close his doors and a new business, Papa Geppetto’s Toys and Treasures, will rent the space.

Wiscasset Old General Store is in the oldest commercial building in town, built in 1797. It was a hardware store when Stetson’s father George bought the building from the Abbotoni Brothers.

Stetson began placing gifts and souvenirs alongside the hammers and plumbing supplies. Today the store’s entire first floor is given over to wines, gourmet jams, guidebooks, sun hats, jewelry, and colorful cloth handbags.

In past years, a small selection of house paint, nails, screws, and extension cords could be found downstairs.

However, the downstairs is currently rented to the Maine Sewing and Quilting Shop.

Stetson said he has many fond memories from growing up in the business. He said in 1953, his father took telephone payments. At that time there were about 400 telephones in town, and most everyone in town came into the store to pay their bill.

“This was good for business,” Stetson said. “Because they would buy something when they came in. We even took green stamps. Do you remember green stamps?”

In the late 1960s, there were 13 employees working in the store. Now, during the summers, there have been four employees, two of which were Stetson and his wife Linda.

He said the pair talked about closing the business. “You know, when you are in business for yourself, it isn’t like working for someone else, with your weekends off,” he said “There is not much time left for anything else.”

When asked how the economy has affected his business, he said, “This past year was the best year we have had in five years. When Red's Eats opens, business picks up,” he said.

“When the Groleaus wanted to rent the building, they seemed like nice people; Linda and I talked and decided it was the right time to make the move.

“We really aren’t retiring; we still have the rental properties to take care of,” he said. Currently everything in the store is on sale.

What the Groleaus do not buy, he said, he will move upstairs over the store and sell it this summer.

He and Linda are preparing to go to Florida for a vacation in February. “I come back looking for a job,” he said. “I’m just joking,” he said with a chuckle.

In with the new

Currently, Papa Geppetto’s is on Front Street in Bath. Owners Julie and Gaff Groleau have lived in Wiscasset for the past two years. Julie Groleau comes from Massachusetts, a high school English teacher with a master’s degree from Clark University. She taught for five years before marrying her karate instructor Gaff Groleau in 2007.  

Gaff Groleau comes from New Hampshire, a graduate of the University of Chicago with a degree in economics. Besides being a karate instructor, he is U.S. Air Force veteran of the Desert Storm and a former merchandising agent for Staples.

After marrying, the couple said they decided Maine was the place to raise a family; they now have one daughter who attends the Sheepscot Valley Children’s House in Wiscasset.

Papa Geppetto’s has been part of Bath’s landscape for the past four years. Its merchandise includes dollhouses, wooden toys, educational toys and more.

During an interview with Julie Groleau last week, she said it was providence that brought them to Wiscasset.

“We are so lucky,” she said. She and her mother were looking at the downtown village for a vacancy that would allow their business to relocate in Wiscasset.

Julie Groleau stopped in to the Wiscasset Old General Store and spoke to Stetson, indicating she was looking for a place in Wiscasset.

After leaving, she stopped to watch the traffic outside and Stetson came out of his store and offered a portion of his store.

She looked at the space and determined it was not large enough. However, she told Stetson if he ever wanted to rent the complete store to let her know.

He said, “I’ll check with the boss.” A little bit later Julie Groleau was told that he and Linda decided retirement was looking good.

The Gorleaus will continue to carry some of the Old Wiscasset General Store inventory such as Maine books, cards, souvenirs and some Maine made items.

“We are so excited in moving our business to Wiscasset,” Julie Groleau said. “We are closing our doors here in Bath Monday, Jan. 28 and opening in Wiscasset, Saturday, Feb. 9 with a grand opening.

“I believe (Stetson) wanted to ensure the building that served Wiscasset for so many years would house a business that was established and would be around for a while,” Julie Groleau said. “We plan to be there for a long time.

“The location is just perfect for us. We couldn’t be happier.”