Marion General Store to soon reopen under new management
Will and Amy Felder will soon reopen the Marion General Store. Photos source: Marion General Store Facebook
The Marion General Store temporarily closed on April 1.
Will and Amy Felder will soon reopen the Marion General Store. Photos source: Marion General Store Facebook
The Marion General Store temporarily closed on April 1.
MARION — Carver residents Amy and Will Felder have partnered with the Marion General Store to reopen the historic business that closed in April due to staffing changes and owner Jack Cheney’s health concerns.
The Felders will lease the space and continue running the business under the same name, partnering with Cheney to honor the store’s 52-year-long history while bringing updates and new offerings. The couple aim to reopen in July, although an official date has yet to be announced.
While the Cheney family initially considered selling the building, they ultimately decided to retain ownership but find people who would lease the store out.
Amy Felder said she and her husband had been looking to start a business together for the past few years, and when she saw the Marion General Store was closing she wrote Cheney a letter expressing interest in being involved in the business.
“I said ‘I love this place, I'm a member of the Beverly Yacht Club, and my husband and I would be interested in taking over the business, or even if you're looking for a new manager, hire me,” she said.
Cheney’s daughter Whitney Wynne said her father is happy to have found a couple who care about the store’s history and want to continue his legacy. Since he still owns the building, he’ll be around if the Felders need help and isn’t “completely cutting ties” with his longtime business.
“Jack is doing great, and he's really happy that we found such lovely people,” Wynne said. “It seems like it's going to be a great fit for not just the Marion General Store, but also the community.”
The two families are currently in the midst of transitioning operations, with plenty of paperwork to fill out and licenses to transfer.
When the store reopens, Amy Felder said it will include a new coffee bar. By fall, she also plans to begin selling some of her baked goods — including sourdough bread.
“We understand how much the community treasures this place, we have Jack's blessing, and we hope that he'll be a staple here when we open again, and that people will come shop,” she said.
