Springs General Store Update

Construction fencing recently appeared around the beloved Springs General Store, offering the first visible sign of progress after three long years of the store being closed. The construction fencing brought about a round of community comments regarding the upcoming construction and proposed changes. The Accabonac Protection Committee is paying close attention to this process as our primary concern is, as always, the harbor’s health.

Here’s what we found out…

Co-owner Daniel Bennett applied for a building permit on October 16, 2025 in the hopes that work will begin soon; however, even in the best case scenario, this community landmark isn’t expected to reopen until summer 2027 with possible delays into 2028.

The current project cites a full renovation of the historic building which has remained closed since late summer 2022. Bennett’s current building plans include lifting the historic structure to install a new foundation, the rebuilding of a back deck, adding an ADA-accessible entrance, replacing windows and roofing, and restoring historic details. Also, the three upstairs apartments will be renovated for staff housing.

The most noted change is the addition of a small retail wine shed to replace the former kayak rental operation. Currently, no on-site wine consumption is being permitted after controversy but Bennett has said that future applications remain possible under town review. 

The current parking lot will be reorganized with 13 marked spaces, resurfacing, and new split rail fence. In addition, more than a quarter acre of lawn will be converted to native plantings. We are eager to see how those plantings support Accabonac Harbor’s ecosystem.

Also, as the property sits near both Pussy’s Pond and Accabonac Harbor, an upgraded and environmentally friendly low-nitrogen system—funded by a town grant—will likely be among the first visible construction work. We discussed these new septic systems in our last APC meeting in September and invite you to revisit our newsletter about them, HERE. 

While approvals are nearly complete, Bennett says he remains cautiously optimistic after years of false starts. We all look forward to the return of this mainstay gathering place in our Springs historic district.

As ever, we on the board of the Accabonac Protection Committee are deeply grateful for each and every one of YOU. It is your continued support makes it possible for us to protect Accabonac Harbor and its surrounding landscapes—today and for the generations to come.