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By MIKE LANGE - GREENVILLE - Lakeshore Provisions will soon be in a new location with additional parking spaces and plenty of room for expansion, thanks to a sale announced last week by Stuart and Craig Watt, the operators of Indian Hill Trading Post and Village Food Mart. The three-year-old specialty food store will move it stock into the Village Food Mart at the end of this month, and the new enterprise will have an official "grand re-opening" on or about May 1, according to Lakeshore Provisions owner Gary Dethlefsen and IHTP operations manager Craig Watt. "Gary wanted to sell the business, and we are always looking for new products that customers normally don't find in town. We felt this was a win-win situation for everyone," said Watt. Dethlefsen will manage Village Food Mart once the merger of the two businesses is complete, said Watt, but Gray "Bump" Morrison - an 18-year employee - will remain at the store. "We are still going to carry the grocery staples we always have," Watt explained, "but we'll have a whole new look with the fine cheeses, wines, specialty foods and fresh produce that made Gary's business so successful." In fact, Dethlefsen said that after his moved his business from the Shaw Block to its current location across the street, the volume doubled. "We have customers from all over the area - Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford - you name it. Now, we have more room in a more visible location. It's the best of both worlds," said Dethlefsen. Watt said that the only downside of the acquisition was the timing. "Had we thought of this earlier, we would have started renovating the store sooner to accommodate the new stock. So we'll do it gradually. But we're very excited about being able to offer our year-round customers and seasonal visitors an opportunity to buy items in Greenville that they normally would have to purchase out-of-town," said Watt. Dethlefsen also emphasized that all Lakeshore Provisions gift certificates will be honored at the new location. The two business owners also want input from the community. "What do our customers want us to carry that we don't already have?" said Watt. "We're in the beginning stages of the new business, so we want to enhance your shopping experience. Just let us know." The addition of gourmet, ethnic and specialty food items to the Village Food Mart is the latest evolution in the landmark brick-front building which is still called "The old A & P" by some locals. The store currently has six full-time employees and an equal number of part-time workers, depending on seasonal demands, said Watt.
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