Foothills couple Kathleen Contento and Doug Lubushkin bought the Genoa County Store and hope to turn it into the central marketplace for the Jacks Valley, Genoa and Foothill areas.
"We would like locals to come here first before driving all the way to Scolari's to buy one item," said Contento.
The new owners have stocked the historic store with basic necessities: canned food, milk, bread, coffee, pet food, shampoo, toothbrushes and toilet paper, among other things.
"We will be bringing in some produce," said Lubushkin.
Contento said she'll sell local produce she buys from farmer's markets in town. Likewise, they'll use beef from Genoa's Ranch No. 1 for their dinner specials and barbecues.
"Our deli meat comes from the Sausage Factory in Carson City," said Contento. "We try to buy locally as much as we can."
Lubushkin said the deli inside the store will remain fully operational.
"Our bread and butter is still the deli," he said. "Everyone knows how great the sandwiches and ice cream are."
The couple, who has lived in Carson Valley for six years, will also be performing some renovations, including converting the upstairs into a private event area and turning the backyard into a barbecue picnic area.
"We still have a lot of work to do," said Lubushkin.
Part of that work is promoting events.
The full bar adjacent to the store now has a high definition television and a small stage area where open mic nights will be hosted on Fridays, along with barbecues.
"It's a lot of fun," said Lubushkin. "We get new people in here on a daily basis, locals and tourists."
On Wednesday nights, the store offers full-course dinners.
"Kathleen selects different red and white wines for the dinners," Lubushkin said. "This store is a viable, good investment, and it's solid for the citizens of Genoa."
A grand opening will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 7, featuring a barbecue, "killer" chili and frozen margaritas.
