The Company Store — Local services in Town of Canandaigua

I was driving through Chesire, NY and needed to refuel. A Sunoco station popped up and I stopped in. Expecting a 7-11 type store with the gas station, I was more than pleasantly surprised. The Company Store is a 100-yr-old former schoolhouse. When you first enter the building, you are greeted by friendly employees, wonderful aromas and a beautiful coffee bar that is the woodwork of a local artisan. Pizza baked in the store from dough made from scratch, store baked cookies, homemade salads (macaroni, chicken, tuna, shrimp and pasta on this day) are available for purchase. All sandwich meats are sliced when you order so they are fresh. There’s a grab and go section with foods to heat and eat that have been made in the store. Shelves are stocked with the groceries people need on a run-in basis. Glass cases store a wide selection of beverages. I learned from the owners, there are classrooms upstairs, in a space called the Cheshire Union, that have been converted into artists’ studios, an art classroom, an area where artists can display and sell their art, and a room where locals can sell their goods on consignment. Going to the beach? Going on a picnic? Going boating or to CMAC? – this is a great place to get the food you need. The Company Store and Cheshire Union are well worth stopping along the way, especially if...

Stopped here for the first time in years with my wife, who apparently has fond childhood memories of this place. The owner (Ben?) was nice, but there was another middle-aged guy there - a relative or friend or employee - who was "interesting", to say the least. Because I'm of Spanish decent, he thought it would be a good opportunity to run some "Mexican jokes" by us and to let him know "on a scale of 1 to offensive" how bad they were. I'm guessing they don't get a lot of people of color that shop there. While the jokes weren't terribly offensive to me personally (I'm not even Mexican and my wife is Caucasian), it was still odd and very awkward, and something we didn't expect when just trying to buy some cookies after a road trip. Will probably not go back...

This local store and gas station are a community treasure! The aromatic allure of their superb baked goods greets you at the entrance. Inside, a well-curated grocery selection and a charming little deli await. What sets this place apart is the genuinely friendly local staff who add a personal touch to every visit. It's not just a pit stop; it's an experience that combines convenience with delightful culinary finds. Highly recommend supporting this gem where local warmth meets...