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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing
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Farewell to H.E.R.
The Last Hurrah! That's how owners David Hollingsworth and Deb Smith describe their final week of operating their Home Entertainment Resource Video store, which has also been doing business for 25 years as Outlaw Subs and Specialty Pizza. Located just across the Route 27 bridge from bustling downtown Belgrade Lakes Village, the business, while appearing to be in the town of Rome is actually the last northbound business hurrah in Belgrade due to clever gerrymandering on the part of some long since departed town father. Historically the site was part of the sawmilling business, which straddled the stream churning out building materials for the local communities. More recently the site has churned out a lot of happiness, laughter, and memories for the wide community that feels at home when on the premises. The owners would like to celebrate their last day in the business greeting and expressing gratitude to the quarter century of friends and customers who have felt relaxed and at ease in the store. H.E.R. made its local business debut in early September 1980 up the hill a bit and across Route 27 near the site of the famous 1950s-60s Pam Pam Road House, but outgrew its original location by the turn of the century. Adding DVD was one of the few changes made during the move. The good humor and quick quips also made the move to the new store and have remained a trademark of the operation. The current building nestles snuggly into the landscape adjacent to the channel linking Great and Long Ponds, and during Belgrade's ongoing public dock crisis, H.E.R. has graciously shared its private dock with the boating public. This community involvement and generosity are typical of the business and its owners. The roadside business sign welcomes travelers with whimsical greetings cleverly created. Nattily attired mannequins welcome tired and hungry travelers with open arms, as do the owners and employees. The doors and the store have been open seven days a week for twenty five years serving up video entertainment and unique food to a couple of generations, and the team of Debbie and David has been there every day serving up witty remarks and smiles of welcome. The final social event for the business owners, employees, mannequins and customers will be held on Wednesday August 31. The business will close its doors for the last time sometime around 5:00 P.M., following what Debbie and David hope will be a memorable last day of celebration of good food, good friends, good memories, good times. While it is unclear whether or not Mr. Newman (most recently of Empire Falls) will attend, Newman's own favorite sugared donuts will be served when the business opens for the last time around 8:00 A.M. Typically great breakfast food and coffee will be served until sometime around noon with the afternoon reserved for gracious and fond farewells, and reminiscing until 5:00 P.M when the management group will close the door to the store and make the 100 yard trek up Homestead Road to their renovated retirement home overlooking the channel, their business, and the village. The management and new owners have agreed to change ownership on September 1, to avoid disruption of summer employment for the college students who will be heading back to school. Concerned customers can be assured that the mannequins are included in the Hollingsworth retirement plan as are the resident ducks. The VHS business and the kitchen equipment can be purchased independently of the property, which has been purchased by Raymond and Stephanie Feegel of Oakland who will be moving to the premises with a new business over the winter. | ||