Since 1971, Gimbel & Sons Country Store in Boothbay Harbor has been a go-to place for tourists and townies alike.

Mark and Dianne Gimbel have been running their store, along with The Smiling Cow and The Loft in the same building, as a place to shop for things like jams and jellies, sauces, marinades and salad dressings, men's clothing, cards, wine glasses and accessories, Maine salt water taffy, fudge, maple syrup and half-price fun handbags and towels. They also have had a selection of gelatos. “The gelato is made in Brunswick and it's excellent,” Gimbel said. “It's all natural organic ingredients.”

But as of May 17, the space will also be a convenience store.

According to Mark Gimbel, since the closing of the Village Market, locals have been missing a place to buy daily staples. “Most local people have been in this store before (and voiced their opinions of what was needed in town) and so one of the changes is that we've put in a bank of coolers,” he said. Soda, juice, energy drinks, teas, Gimbel’s will have them all. “We're also going to carry the Oakhurst products: orange juice and milk, and eggs and yogurt.”

In addition Gimbel said they will carry some essential sundries. “If someone is traveling and they forget Dramamine, sunscreen, shampoo, aspirin, we'll have all of that.”

Snacks, like bags of chips, popcorn and pretzels will also be found in the store. “We're even picking up whoopie pies made here in Maine,” Gimbel said.

Asked about another new item, Gimbel appears ambivalent. “Much to my chagrin, different salespeople and locals have been requesting that we carry cigarettes, which I was not a proponent of.” Sure enough, there's a case dedicated solely to cigarettes.

“We've carried cigars for a long time, so we've had a steady clientele for those, but the cigarettes are brand-new,” he said.

Gimbel said they won't be selling a few common staples, because there will be another convenience-type store in a space next to/below his place. Ava's Seaside Deli will be half deli and half convenience store, in the space that used to be D’Ellies.

Ava’s will carry some of the items that the Gimbels don't have, though some may overlap. “They'll have cold cuts by the pound and bread, beer and wine. They'll also have an ice machine.”

Another feature Gimbel will be adding is an ATM machine. “This came from customer feedback. Damariscotta Bank and Trust is going to get it set up,” he said.

The Gimbels are open to suggestions for other items to carry. “This is a work in progress. So if people have requests, and they live or work downtown, and there's something they buy on a regular basis, and don't want to drive to Hannaford or Irving, we're willing to add things.”

The newly appointed store opens May 17 at 9 a.m. They will be open 7 days a week.