Middlebrook residents look to save general store

MIDDLEBROOK - The outlook for the Middlebrook General Store looks kind of grim at the moment. 

It's a staple in the community as it serves as the only store in the village of just over 200 people. It's a gathering place. It's an eatery. It's the center of town. 

All of that could go away, if something isn't done and it's going to take a collective effort from the tiny village's residents.

The general manager, Ann Shultz, is set to leave at the end of November, which will leave the store without a tenant. That could mean, the store could close.

Sunday, members of the store's investor group and the group's board members met to discuss the options they have left — which isn't much.

They needs some inspiration and mainly a lot of money. Right now, the investment LLC has about $600 in the bank for the store. 

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The situation at the general store isn't like a lot of other business. The store is owned by the community. Back in 2009, the store closed when the owners left to run a bed and breakfast in Yorktown. At that time, the community's other convenience store, Hilltop Market, also closed, leaving the community without a local store. 

But that's when the idea of a cooperative store came into play.

Billing itself as a community cooperative, although structured as a limited liability corporation called Middlebrook Investors LLC, the historical store opened to the public on July 25, 2011, with a slew of new investors.

In the summer of 2011 the Middlebrook General Store was purchased by 138 Middlebrook residents who contributed anywhere from $25 to $20,000. 

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"Our simple, primary goal was to provide a place for the community to gather, have reasonably-priced good food, a few staple groceries and local crafts," said Henley Gabeau. "The past two years, under Ann Shultz's management, have been our best."

The main problem was there was a lot of debt to pick up on the property. The LLC is still paying off fees to a certified public accountant from the previous years, which they've whittled down from $3,000 to almost $700.

Originally, the store was built as the D.F. Cross Store in 1901 and has changed hands and been reincarnated several times after spells of inactivity. Tom and Poppet Nelson bought and reopened the store in 2007, but not before some major renovations. Then it closed again in 2009 and saw a rebirth in 2011.

Now, it's time for Shultz to retire. She's put time, money, sweat and tears into the general store and she's done. She said in her first year she was working 90-hour weeks and just couldn't keep up that pace. 

Since the community purchased the building, they have had three general managers. The way it works is the general manager leases the building from the LLC and takes the profits from the business. The LLC and the manager sign a contract that they both agree on, it's somewhat of a collaboration. The main goal of the LLC is to manage the property, but not micromanage the business.

The problem is, the business hasn't been extremely profitable. But, Shultz has taken what was once $60,000 worth of sales a year to $120,000. 

"I think it's the most stable operation we've had," said Stanley Bright, chairman of the investors board. "She has put in the effort. If I were in a military setting, I'd have to say she's gone above and beyond her call of duty."

On average Shultz said she had about 45 customers a day purchasing $5 a piece, which may sound like a lot but that's just $225 of purchased goods.

"The quantity of people coming in is very low," she said. "The store has to have traffic through there."

Many residents are upset of what the store has become. In the beginning, investors were told it would be a convenience store, which isn't quite what it is now.

Some say there aren't enough grocery items, or things are too expensive. It really comes down to the community, though, some said. They just aren't shopping there.

"The people were supposed to shop there," said Jonathan Kern, a newly elected board member. "I'm not blaming anyone but, does the community want to make something of it? It was about having a place where people could have lunch ... another community center. I still really want this thing to succeed."

Now, the store is at a crossroads.

Either close up shop or find a new person. They are currently actively looking for a new manager and tenant for the building — one that would keep the integrity of the business, but also provide some new insight to make the place a little more marketable. 

The problem is, if they do close the store down after Shultz leaves, that still means the investors would need to pay to run the electric and other bills, which is pretty much impossible with their current financial state. They tossed around the idea of making the general store a local cooperative business where people pay shares, or running it using volunteers.

Sunday, the board did vote to allow for new investors to come on board, which would allow for more flexibility in financing, new investment and those who would come on would be governed by the existing laws the board has put in place.

As the meeting closed, they are still on the search for a general manager. But, a challenge was also introduced. One resident offered $1,000 to the fund if $9,000 could be raised by Oct. 2 from other community members.

Those interested in management opportunities should contact Melody Tennant at melodytennant100@gmail.com. Those looking to invest should contact Henley Gabeau at henleygabeau@gmail.com.

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Follow Laura Peters @peterslaura and @peterpants. You can reach her at lpeters@newsleader.com or 213-9125.