On Dec. 31, the Poole family (yes those Pooles) plans to close their long-standing general store in Poolesville. The Poole family has run the store that has served the local equestrian, hunting and farming communities since 1948.
The property along the C&O Canal is now owned by the Montgomery Department of Parks, which bought the property from the Allnutt family in 1976. The structure was built in 1901, according to the Maryland Historic Trust.
According to local reports, the Poole children have decided to close the store because of slower business and the declining health of their parents. However, some local residents are hoping to convince them to stay open.
Montgomery Parks says it will schedule a public meeting early next year to get input from the community on a future tenant.
“No decisions have been made, and every attempt will be undertaken to assure that the valuable function served in the past by the store will not be lost,” the release from the parks department says.
The department also says it is committed to preserving the structure and has “already been approached by several individuals interested in leasing the property.”
