ALBION, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- A storied general store in Albion could be closed by this time next month if its current owners do not get someone to buy the business.
'H.L. Keay & Son' general store has been open in Albion since 1927. For decades many people in that town have been stopping in to buy their groceries and hardware. The third generation owners of the store now say they can't afford to keep it open.
Members of the Keay family say that they have been seeing fewer customers over the years as more people are going to Waterville to shop. That comes at the same time as the cost of their utilities and inventory is going up.
If the general store closes many people in Albion would have to travel farther to get their groceries and supplies.
"This is gonna have a big impact for a lot of people around here," said Jim Little of Freedom, who has been shopping at the store for the last ten years, "lotta people can't just get in their car and run 20-25 miles up the road."
"We do have some interest...and somebody interested in buying it," said Kevin Keay, who is one of the store's current owners, "and hopefully it works out and I know all our customers are hoping somebody buys it and keeps it going."
Keay added that the family has also put the store on the real estate market in hopes to secure a new owner. They feel they have enough inventory to at least keep the business going until at least the end of the month.
NEWS CENTER