Stang's market gets major facelift

St. Regis residents will soon have enhanced grocery and dining options thanks to a major remodeling project underway at Stang’s market, including a possible name change.

Interior construction is already in progress as the store works to improve its shopping efficiency, options and appearance.

“Our goal is to offer more food options for residents of the area and the many tourists who pass through,” said store manager Robert Buss. “We want to bring back some things that used to be offered here and add several more to better serve the community.”

The store, which recently came under new ownership, will be receiving a facelift inside and out. Included in those ambitious plans are the creation of a delicatessen and a restructuring of the liquor store part of the business.

“One of the big changes will be to consolidate the liquor sales area into a more defined and efficient space,” Buss said. “Liquor sales, both retail and wholesale, have always been a big part of our business. We want give that phase a the store a new look.”

Adding the deli is equally high on the agenda.

Plans call for a hot food delicatessen featuring fried chicken and pizzas, along with a host of other products including freshly made sandwiches. Delivery service for those items is also under consideration, as well as indoor seating and an outdoor patio so customers can relax and eat their meals on site.

“We are checking into delivery options,” Buss said. “There are a lot of people around here that would benefit by the ability to have hot food delivered to their door.”

The business, now owned by Janice Hoskins and her two children, Lee and Tifffany, hopes to also offer a wide variety of to-go and “on the go” options for the many travelers and workers who pass through St. Regis every day, Buss said.

Buss said many of the changes should be complete by summer and the start of the tourist season. In addition to the inside changes, plans call for upgrading the store’s Sinclair gas pumps and signage.

Structural changes inside are already underway and most of the deli equipment has been ordered, Buss said.

Another area business owned by the Hoskins family, a gun store on Highway 135 on the town’s northern edge, may also see some major changes.

Plans being considered for that business call for expansion of the existing space into a vacant store area next door. That would create more gun purchase options, as well as add outdoor clothing and camping gear.

Hunting and fishing license sales at Stang’s will remain at the market, Buss said.

Finally, although no decision has yet been made, the store may take on a new name to go with the new look.

“We hope to come away with a business that offers more to the community,” he said. “The new owners really want the community to survive and thrive.”