Marshalls take over East Grand Lake Variety

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
NEW OWNERS — East Grand Lake Variety has a new name and new owners as Gregg and Andrea Marshall took over the establishment in March. The family convenience store features “a little bit of everything,” according to its owners.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    WESTON — A subtle change has taken place along Grand Lake as one of the area’s local convenience stores has new owners and a new name.
    Andrea and Gregg Marshall bought Grand Lake Variety on U.S. Route 1 in March and held a grand opening the week of April 19, unveiling the business’ new name, East Grand Lake Variety.
    Gregg suffered a work-related injury and as such needed to find a new career. Hailing from Lisbon, the Marshalls started looking for a business in Aroostook or Washington County to invest in so Gregg could return to his roots. He grew up in the Lambert Lake area of Washington County and his father is from Calais.
    “I have a lot of family here in Aroostook and Washington County,” Gregg said.
    “We love snowmobiling and being outdoors on the water, so having a store in The County is a dream come true,” Andrea added.
    The Marshalls looked at “seven or eight” properties to purchase in the area, but none of them seemed to be the right fit until they happened upon the business that would soon be theirs. One of the stores they were looking closely at was the Pine Tree Store on Grand Lake Stream, but the chose to go with Grand Lake Variety instead.
    “It turned out to be a much better situation for us,” Gregg said.
    A full convenience store featuring “a little bit of everything,” East Grand Lake Variety offers a full line of fishing supplies, beverages, cigarettes, snacks, video rentals, souvenirs and grocery essentials catered to those spending time camping on the lake.
    East Grand Lake Variety also has a pizza/sandwich counter, with the specialty sandwich “the Grand Laker Special,” a combination of turkey, ham, salami, pastrami, American, Swiss and provolone, green peppers, olives, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and pickles. The large version of the sandwich weighs in at nearly two pounds.
    “We have men that come in and tell us they have been waiting for two weeks to come get a Grand Laker,” Andrea said. “It’s one huge sandwich. But if you are going out on the lake for the day fishing, this is the sandwich for you.”
    “We haven’t changed any of the recipes for sandwiches or pizza,” Gregg added. “But we have added a few new sandwiches for folks to try.”
    Andrea added Houlton Farms Dairy ice cream cones to the menu, serving cones in a “one size, one price” format” available in three flavors. Those flavors will vary depending on the supply.
    “Everyone has been just great, especially the previous owners, Mike McVicker and Karen Cummings,” Gregg said.
    Since the Marshalls took over, business has steadily improved coinciding with increased fishermen coming into the area.
    Renovations have been ongoing to the business. The couple plans to move the main entrance to the front of the building and the Marshalls have added a few tables for those that wish to grab a bite to eat. The store also serves as a game station for tagging wild game and animals.
    While they hope to be quite busy this summer, the Marshalls are also looking forward to spending some quality time on the lake.
    “We sold our snowmobiles and bought a boat,” Andrea said. “Once we got the boat, we started going fishing more often. And there is no better place to go fishing than Grand Lake.”
    For more information, call 448-7014 or e-mail EGLV593@ gmail.com.