The old Stanton Brothers Convenience Store and Snack Bar, later Martin General Store, a fixture at the government dock for more than 100 years, was destroyed in a fire on Oct. 29.
Jason Stanton, general manager of Bayview Wildwood and Cottages at Port Stanton, and great-great-great-grandson of Capt. Tom Stanton, who founded the area known as Port Stanton, is now tasked with the revitalization of the historic site.
Stanton admits that even after almost two months since the fire, there hasn’t been much progress, and dealing with insurance companies has slowed things down.
“We are still waiting for the full tear-down to happen, which is challenging at this time of year, especially with the pandemic,” he said.
“We are slowly progressing at this point. The biggest thing for me is getting the remnants cleaned up.”
Stanton said the team at Bayview Wildwood Resort and Sunray Group of Hotels are working with insurance companies to see what kind of structure will be built in place of the old one.
“The plan is to go forward with a similar type of structure of what was there before, but nothing has been confirmed to this point,” Stanton said.
He expects some form of a retail operation will be built to replace what was once the general store, and he’s hoping plans will get in motion after the holidays.
“Once we get into January, I know things will move a little quicker with the holidays in the rearview mirror,” he said.
Stanton said the community outreach since the fire has been fantastic.
“We’ve been hearing a lot of stories and memories from people of what a great operation it was for so many years. They are excited and looking forward to seeing what we do with the location," he said.
“Either way, whatever we do, whatever we decide to build, we will ensure that there is some type of symbol towards the history that took place there for so many years.”
He said it is important the new structure pay homage to the general store.
“There are a lot of people who have so many fond memories of that store that take them back to their childhood. They don’t want to give that up,” Stanton said.
“They want to see something resembling that same building that they remember. I think that’s why there has been such a great outpour from the community.”
Stanton added it is an honour for him to continue the long tradition of hospitality his family set before him, and he looks forward to continuing that tradition for years to come with the new structure.
