The JH Martin store in Racine, East Township, is still for sale, and the couple who own the 150-year-old store want future owners to preserve the building’s heritage value as part of the municipality’s history.
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Patrice Dupont, the current owner, believes the trade is still important for citizens to access essentials such as bread and milk, and for historical fare.
“It’s certain that we want to continue to serve everyone and keep its primary business,” which is to say, a general store.
Patrice Dupont and his wife Isabelle Caron have been owners for 35 years.
“We thought it was a 15-year project, and in the end, we spent our lives here,” said Mr. DuPont is surprised.
Founder James Henry Martin opened the city’s first restaurant, he explains.
The General Store was built between 1872 and 1884; Exact date unknown.
The owners, like the citizens of Racine, hope that a new buyer will soon be interested in continuing the tradition by acquiring a general store that is part of nature.
– Based on information from Anik Berger
