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Town residents showed overwhelming support for proposed renovations to the Easton Village Store at a public hearing earlier this week.
The "intensification" project proposed by the store's owners of three years, Marsel and Mary Catherine Huribal, would repair two connecting rundown barns in the back of the store. The barns, which have been traditionally used for storage since the more than a century old barn began serving the town, would be renovated, sticking to the original footprint. The table area would be moved into the new barn space, as would the deli, leaving more space in the store for more products.
Among those speaking to the Planning and Zoning Commission was a store neighbor who said he was not concerned about noise and traffic problems; he said the project might improve traffic and safety in the neighborhood.
The construction would move the front entrance of the store from Sport Hill Road to the side by the gas pumps and parking lot. The parking lot and the gravel section in back would be paved to make more parking spots and an easier turnaround space.
Town resident Fred Lovejoy said the village store is the "gateway to Easton" one of the first things visitors see when they drive into town off the Merritt Parkway. Former storeowner Bill Tustian said he fully supports the project, which would offer more services and be a "tremendous asset" to the town and "great for every resident of Easton." No one spoke against the proposal.
The Huribals said they are not looking to turn EVS into a commercial center but to serve the "community in a better and more efficient way."
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