New owner taking over Pleasant Valley store

PLEASANT VALLEY — It did not take long for a new owner to take the reins of the Pleasant Valley General Store.

West Hartland resident Jim Parrott plans to reopen the local landmark tomorrow morning, with the intention of once again making the store an important, family-friendly focal spot within the community.

“People who have been walking in here as we have been working say, ‘We can’t wait,’� Parrott said. “Everyone you talk to is very excited we are reopening.�

The store closed on Aug. 31 after its previous owner, Robert Bergeron, said he was forced into foreclosure after he was unable to meet monthly mortgage payments.

The building, which sits at the corner of River and Ripley Hill roads, houses the store, a Citgo gas station and a hair salon. The hair salon has remained open and in business at the site.

Currently, the property is owned by Pleasant Valley resident Charlie Lynes. But Parrott said at the end of his three-year lease, he intends to purchase the property.

Over the past several weeks, Parrott — who previously owned the sports bar Bleachers along Main Street in Winsted — has been renovating the store space in preparation for the reopening.

He has put on a new roof and a floor, made changes to the shelving, raised and refinished the counter-space and repainted the entire store.

“We also plan on making exterior improvements as well,� he said.

Parrott coaches field hockey, basketball and softball for Northwestern Regional High School and said he intends to shift the store’s focus to offering quality, made-to-order breakfast and deli sandwiches, as well as freshly made soups, salads, chili and stews.

Also, the gas station will now allow customers to charge their purchases with a credit card right at the pump.

“We will also be putting in a new station sign and gas pumps,� Parrott said.

But this is not the only small business project on Parrott’s plate. The professional painter also plans to open a new bar/restaurant in the Ledgebrook Plaza on New Hartford Road in Winsted, The Swingin’ Parrott & Pub.

“That’s been going well,� he said of the setting up the new hot spot, which will be managed by his son, Chris.

It is slated to open the middle of next month.

“We just wanted to create a great place where you can go and have a burger and some fun,� Parrott said.

Although it remains a difficult economic time to open up new businesses, Parrott said, with the help of family and friends, he is confident both his new ventures will be successful over the long haul.

“I’m really enthusiastic,� he said.

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