Bridgewater General Store brings back nostalgia, charm

    BRIDGEWATER, Maine — From spices and socks to wooden yo-yos and rolled oats, the Bridgewater General Store is bringing nostalgia back to the community.
“We’re originally from Rhode Island,” said Gerard Parenteau, who co-owns the 402 Main St. business with his wife, Wendy. “We had been coming back and forth up here getting to know folks in the area for the last couple of years, and we moved up here permanently the beginning of August.
    “We noticed when we were coming up — plus our friends had mentioned to us — that there aren’t a lot of businesses in the area and you have to travel distances to go shopping. We thought it would be a nice convenience if there could be a local store,” he said. “In talking to some of the people who have been here for years, there used to be general stores, grocery stores and car dealerships in Bridgewater, so we felt that there was a need and that people would like to have something else local.”
After retiring with 20 years from a Rhode Island fire department, Gerard said he wanted to do “something a little different.”
“I always liked the idea of having a little general store, so we made it happen,” he said. “We’re trying to keep the old-fashioned flair … things like the pickle barrel and popcorn machine … and bring back that old charm.”
The Parenteaus, who live in Blaine, saw the residential property on U.S. Route 1 and “thought it would make a cute, nostalgic general store.”
“Our main focus is bulk foods, dry goods and baking goods. People seem to want to buy in bulk. We work with a company to get the best product for the best pricing, and then we pass the savings onto the consumer,” said Wendy. “We have some perishables as far as milk, eggs and juices. We also sell rolled oats, dried cranberries, raisins, and roasted peanuts. We also have homemade soy-based candles, toys and candy … things that you wouldn’t ordinarily find at the big stores … nostalgic things that you might remember having when you were little.”
“We knew we needed to be different because you can’t compete with the giant super stores. We wanted to focus on the things that you can’t find at those places … things that are hard to find today that used to be around years ago. Things like the old Tiddlywinks games, Dominoes, Pick-up Sticks and Slinkies … nostalgic stuff,” Gerard said. “We have penny candy for the kids. Even with the candy we’ve tried to go the nostalgic route … things that you don’t find regularly in your daily stores. We sell a little bit of this and a little bit of that … everything from cast-iron cookware to Christian greeting cards, and even have goat milk and bee products.”
The Bridgewater General Store also sells Maine-made products.
“We have Raye’s Mustard, Bradbury syrups, and different handmade goods from some of the folks in the community,” said Gerard.
Gerard and his sons — Nicholas, Nathaniel and Noah — make wooden toys that are also for sale. The Parenteaus also have a daughter, Amanda.
“They have a little workshop in the basement where they make biplanes and trucks,” said Wendy. “The kids love them.”
The Parenteaus painted the former house red and white to give it that “general store look.”
“Most of the work we did was interior … putting up some market shelves and pegboard to hang things on. We also had to get a couple extra refrigerators and freezers for the perishable items. We took an existing breakfast counter and repurposed it into a candy counter and display … little touches,” said Gerard.
The Bridgewater General Store officially opened Nov. 29.
“People have noticed us working on it over the last number of months and once the signs went up, they saw it and many have stopped in,” said Gerard. “They’re excited that there’s something new in town. It’s a convenience for them. Now they have some groceries, gifts and different things locally.”
Customers are also encouraged to sit and visit with the proprietors.
“We have a bench and a couple of stools. We don’t want to rush people out like some places do. We want them to come in, relax and if they want to sit down and chat, that’s great,” Gerard said. “We want people to feel at home.”
The Bridgewater General Store is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 425-2957.