Pioneer Store in Ellison Bay Reopens
By Adam Aaro | Source: WBAY.com
Note: In the video, WBAY erroneously reports the buildings at Cedar Grove Resort were not rebuilt. The duplex which exploded and claimed the lives of Patrick and Peggy Higdon has indeed been rebuilt.
CLICK FOR VIDEO — The opening of the Pioneer General Store in Ellison Bay is just another sign that the town is getting back to normal after a propane line caused a deadly explosion just under a year ago.
The explosion happened around 2:30 a.m. of July 10th. Two people were killed in the blast and three buildings were destroyed, including structures on the Cedar Grove Resort and the Pioneer General Store.
The General Store was a Door County landmark, standing for over 100 years before the explosion forced the owners to tear it down.
But today, a new era begins for the store. Residents welcome back what some call the heart of the community.
Potato chip bags are placed on the shelves and some last minute items are price checked. These are sights Carol Newman has waited a difficult year to witness.
“I’m anxious to get started. I’m anxious to give them hugs and just get back into business.”
Although much of what’s inside the building is brand new to the eye, people say the most important aspect of the pioneer store aren’t something you can necessarily see. You have to experience it.
Erin Pugh, an Ellison Bay resident said, “It’s social, it’s convenient, everybody gets together and tells stories.”
Newman said, “That’s what made the store the people, freedom’s everybody had to visit with everybody else. They expected to meet someone else in here, catch up on the daily gossip, the weekly gossip, who’s being good, who’s being bad.”
It’s those things people say brought them here to show their support for Carol and the new life of the Pioneer Store.
John Shafer, another Ellison Bay resident said, “It’s like the heart of the community, really, that’s how people felt when it wasn’t here.”