Saranac Lake community store settles on location

Organizers of a community-owned department store planned for Saranac Lake say they have identified a “proposed site” for the store — the former Corvo’s restaurant on Main Street, across from the Saranac Lake Hotel.

The group has scheduled an open house at the facility for February 5th.  This is a project that’s been in the works almost since the old Ames department store went out of business.

Here’s their release:

The open house is an opportunity for members of the community, whether investors or not, to drop by, discuss our plans and, most importantly, to suggest product lines for the store to carry. Also, suggestions of sources for products, particularly US-made, will be welcomed. Board members will be on hand throughout the afternoon to answer any questions.

With some 600 investors already on-board, the capital-raising phase of this venture is close to a conclusion as we only need to sell another 200 or so shares, or about 4% of the minimum requirement, to begin operations. Accordingly, we have started discussions with Greg Moore, the owner of the building on Main Street, regarding leasing the property and have also started the search for key management staff.

The Saranac Lake Community Store is raising capital* to open a community-owned retail department store that will enhance the sustainability and self-sufficiency of the retail economy in the Tri-Lakes by providing a range of reasonably-priced goods not readily available in the community.

Tags: adirondacks, economy