The owners of the recently reopened Lakeside Country Store in Camas want their business to be much more than just a convenience store. They want it to make a difference in the lives of youth.
Mikki Keller, a retired probation officer for the Clark County Juvenile Court and previous owner of Kidz with Ice food concessions, said they want to bring back a sense of community by offering bicycle and fishing clinics for children.
Keller and the other Lakeside Country Store owners, Charity Groza and Tom Savageau, are leasing the building on state Route-500, near Round Lake and Lacamas Lake, from Jim Pidgeon.
Since the store had been closed for more than seven years, the Lakeside owners and some of their friends cleaned out and painted the interior of the building. The exterior was painted by employees with Hartman & Sons Painting.
Fishing bait and tackle, including live night crawler worms, are available to purchase, along with picnic supplies, bandages, insect repellent, wet wipes, chips, candy bars and bottled water.
There is also Cascade Glacier ice cream, espresso and fountain soda available, as well as wine, energy drinks, beer and milk.
Greeting cards, ladies belts, and dog and cat food, add to Lakeside’s varied inventory.
Jenny Edwards, of Proebstel, and her grandson, Charlie Adams-Harrell visited the store Thursday after kayaking.
“I’m glad it is open,” she said. “We like to come to the parks and Lacamas Lake.”
Keller said trail walkers and bicycle riders have also stopped by the store.
“We get ’em from all over,” she said.
Free wi-fi is available.
Keys to Advancement, Inc. employment services, which offers job match opportunities for adults with disabilities, provided financial assistance to re-open the store.
A patio in front of the store showcases a picnic table and benches that were created by area youth.
“They will make more to sell,” Keller said.
She has heard stories about the store’s structure from visitors, including the great-granddaughter of the man who constructed the building. His name, C. Galiant and the year of construction, 1928, can still be seen written near the base of the building.
Grand opening festivities, set for Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., will include complimentary cotton candy and shaved ice. There will be raffles and free samples of BJ’s Coffee Roasters beverages. Hot dogs will cost $1 each.
Lakeside Country Store is located at 3510 N.E. Everett St. The summer hours are Monday through Thursday, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 844-5618, email lakesidestore6115@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeside-Country-Store/993129590717965?fref=ts.
