Dan's Papers - July 11, 2008 - Springs General Store

Since Lincoln was President people have gathered at The Springs General Store, whether it was to get their mail, get their dry goods, or even civil war news. The front porch of that historic building has had many a person sit, read, talk and munch over the last 170 years. The sounds of the seasons, the feel of the country, and the smell of fresh baked goods have always been the sensations felt on that porch. After decades in the hands of the Miller family, Kristi L. Hood, a Springs mother of two, now carries on the tradition of keeping the Springs General Store the cornerstone of the Springs community. Over the years it's been horses, horse and buggies, Model "T" Fords, and the huge cars of the 1960s that parked in the lot in front of the store where the Priuses, BMW convertibles and the other trucks and cars of today park. Hood said she is proud to be the proprietor of the store that her children Molly, age 13, and Hunter, age 10, read about in their history classes at The Springs School.

Hood is the type of woman you might expect to find stepping out of a covered wagon back in the Oregon Trail days. A Californian with catering and restaurant experience, she purchased Springs General Store around five years ago, "when my daughter's friend said her mom was thinking of selling it." Now managing one of the treasures of the past, Hood goes to work every day to make her store everything it always was - and better. "I am always fine-tuning, but I love the history associated with it, I love that it was and still is a community gathering place, a place where people come to see and be seen. I pride myself on knowing my neighbors and greeting new people." The fresh food baked on the premises daily, along with the wonderful breads for the sandwiches, the lunch specials, the potatoes, egg, chicken, tuna, and other special salads are wonderful. The coffee section to the right when you walk in is what Starbuck's tried to be - an easy quick place to get your coffee and meet your neighbors with atmosphere. The store has become such an icon many wear its promotional hats, tee-shirts and sweatshirts proudly, like they were Ivy league college mementos.

During the renovations to the upstairs apartment, Hood believes a ghost was re-awakened. The spirit manifests itself in different ways. The Springs General Store encompasses two-and-a-half acres of property. Besides the kayak rental business Hood has going on the waterfront portion of the property (Accabonic Harbor), the property has fresh gardens, fish ponds, and of course space for the family dogs and rabbits. In the old oil shed behind the antiquated gas pumps of yesteryear, Paul Hamilton operates the Springs farm stand that so many visit weekly for variations of new available fresh produce and plants. Hood says she has "the best" help from so many in the daily operations.

In come the patrons: mothers with babies, groups from a bike ride looking for cold drinks, seniors looking to buy newspapers, others looking for a quick snack, custom-made lunch, a cup of coffee or a six-pack of cold beer. Many times neighbors meet on the front porch and discuss the local issues or just catch up before entering. First-time visitors love the feel of the place. The word "enthusiasm" best describes the feeling a Springs General Store customer has walking up to the historic porch to enter the swinging screen door. Upon entering, almost everyone smiles - and that's what makes this place so special.

Hood totally gets the role of the place within the community. "I want it to be a cultural center, a community center, a gathering point. That's important to me," she said. She enjoys creating and maintaining a positive vibe that many flock to daily as part of the ritual of living in the Springs. It is a tradition that goes back to Civil War days and continues to today. Kristi Hood made a huge work commitment five years ago when she stepped up to the plate to take over and personally run the Springs General Store. With a wry smile she looked around at her success and said, "Fate conspired and here I am!" She says she makes the effort to know her patrons, to recognize them by name and make them feel at home when entering. She has a very country-polite way of going about her business - a trait the world probably could use more of. She and the store can be summed up in a word: authentic.

The Springs General Store opens at 5:30 a.m. for the early risers, and closes at 7 p.m. during the week, and 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.