(Lamoine) — The Lamoine General Store has a new owner, but the face is pretty familiar. Kimberly Murphy officially purchased the store from a corporation headed by Carroll Leland in early April. Kim has managed both the Lamoine Store and Carroll’s IGA for several years, and the purchase included the Trenton facility as well. She’s the fourth owner of the store that opened in 1996. She, her husband, and two sons reside in Lamoine.

The Murphys have applied to the Lamoine Planning Board for a permit to expand the Lamoine General Store facility’s storage areas. The Planning Board will review the application at its meeting on July 6th. The permit application are available for view at the Lamoine Town Hall

While the ownership has changed hands, little else inside is different, with the exception of a new Megabucks machine, approved after many residents signed a petition to the Maine State Lottery Commission requesting the tickets be sold in Lamoine. The store continues to have its popular lunch counter, friendly staff, and is often the center for local political discussion.