DeKalb store closes; era ends

DEKALB JUNCTION — An old-time convenience store has closed, leaving many residents of Old DeKalb at least 10 miles from the nearest gas pump or six-pack.

"It's going to be an awful loss to the community if it's closed permanently," said Lois P. Alguire, who used to live across from the D&L store. "I'm surprised it closed. It must have been a quickie deal."

The store, which had operated since the 1920s, closed Sunday night. Its owner, Larry H. "Big Weav" Weaver, died Oct. 13, and his widow, Darlene M., shut the store and moved to Virginia.

"A lot of people were upset, but she just can't do it," Mr. Weaver's daughter-in-law, Diane, said.

She said the store, in a well-traveled spot on Route 812, eventually may be for sale.

Whatever contents weren't gone by Sunday were sold to Gouverneur auctioneer Donald A. Peck.

"The fixtures are still there," Mr. Peck said. "Darlene didn't want to have anyone running it while she wasn't here."

DeKalb town historian Bryan S. Thompson traced the beginning of the business to the 1920s, when it was owned by a family named Finley, who had a store and restaurant, along with tourist cabins.

"There's a big backyard with it," he said. "We have a picture of them selling gas and ice cream."

Mr. Thompson said he hoped someone would take over.

"It's going to be a real loss because there's no other store within miles," he said. "Richville doesn't even have anything anymore."

At various times, the store was owned by Howard and Bessie Ferris, and Morris "Bucky" and Avis Todd, when it was known as Todd's General Store. Mrs. Todd, 88, died in September.

Ruta Ozols, Canton, who ran the business as the R&V Store, sold it to Mr. Weaver. She remembered the building as vintage. Although the gas tanks were an older variety, the underground tanks were changed by the oil company, Ms. Ozols said.

"That building was about in its original state," she said. "That little place has been around forever."