Today the corner at Highways 38 and 1 in Effie has a new look. On January 28, just over two months after construction started, the Effie Country Service store reopened with a bigger, brighter floor plan and a variety of new products.

“Our goal,” said Paula, “is to make a ‘one stop shop.’ As busy as everybody is, the more they can get in one stop, the better.”

The almost 2,800 square foot store now carries a larger supply of sporting goods, bait, snack food and cooler drinks. And it has a deli with fountain drinks, pizza, a roller grill and soon a deep fryer and panini sandwiches. There is off sale liquor with beer, wine and spirits.

In one section a gift shop is taking shape with cards, shirts, candles and other gift items. Paula plans to carry locally made craft items also. “There are a lot of talented people in this area,” she said.

Their service area is large: customers come from Northome to Togo and Talmoon. It’s an area with slow but steady growth, they said, and one that is unique because it is far from major services. As a result, their business has changed from being gas-driven to one where it’s important to gather a variety of services and products in one place.

It’s also important to have that two way support, they said, both for and from their customers. “This is how we have reinvested their money,” explained Paula; “a bigger store, more variety, more of what they need.”

When Paula and Jeff first bought the business, the repair shop had been closed and the store was only about 20 feet by 15 feet with limited hours. It took time to build the business. Gradually it expanded; the two cramped bays were replaced with a bigger shop and the store took over that space. As their daughters Viki (19) and Page (17) grew up, they joined the family working in the store. Now the business employs 15 full and part time staff.

The new project was planned in stages with about seven years between the building of the large repair shop and the new store. In those years, design plans were discussed and modified. When the time came to build, the Powells turned to A & A Plumbing and Heating and Tom Anderson as their general contractor. They were pleased, the Powells said, with all the contractors who worked long hours in cold temperatures to finish ahead of schedule.

A Grand Opening is planned for April 3.

To reach Effie Country Service, call (218) 743-3616.