Michael Truman, left, is one of the final customers at the Falls General Store while, Stephanie Davis bags up his purchases. The store closed last Friday. If the current owners can find a buyer, it may reopen at some time in the future. The store has been a fixture at the Falls since the mid 19th Century. Photo by Rob Wills, The Northfield News Bearing through several wars and the great depression, the Falls General Store, located on Route 12 and Cox Brook Rd in the historic Cross Block building, provided a meeting place and merchandise for generations of local people and visitors to the state. The doors are now locked bringing an end to its over 150 year history.

Before purchasing the store, the current owners, DeWayne and Jackie Bush, who then lived in Massachusetts, visited Northfield Falls and the general store. Jackie said, “My husband always wanted a country store and liked the area and location.” They purchased the business on August 25, 2005.

Jackie stated that in June of last year, DeWayne was given an offer to return to his previous job working for an airline in software implementation. This required DeWayne to spend many days away from the store and his family. “Due to DeWayne being on the road and raising two children, it was best time to sell,” said Jackie.

Jackie said that they plan to stay in town, living above the store until they either sell or lease the store.

Over the years, Jackie and DeWayne came to know many people. Jackie said, “I will miss a lot of my good customers and the relationships we developed with them.”

Last week, on the last day the store was open, customers were still wandering through the store, browsing half-price clearance items while stopping to pick up staple items like bread or milk or waiting for a grinder or pizza to be made at the fullservice deli. T-shirts carrying messages about Northfield Falls were selling for five dollars.

Phil and Jayne Laurendeau who owned the store for 20 years has always maintained that the store has potential to be successful once again hoping a new owner will come along, but noted that new owner might have to maximize the business potential .