New Store Opens on Main Street

By Kaileigh Deacon

There is a new store opening on Main Street in Calais. Village Variety opened its doors on September 3. (Photo by Kaileigh Deacon).

There is one less empty store front on Main Street in Calais. Village Variety opened its doors Wednesday September 3 in the small shop next to the Calais Bookshop. Village Variety is a different kind of store, whose offerings include everything from antiques to knives and everything in between.  

The store is owned and operated by Taylor Stryker, Manuel Santiago, and Melissa Wells. Wells is also the owner of auction house on Calais Avenue. “We saw a need and we thought we could help the community,” Wells said on why they opened their store. 

Wells and Stryker are familiar with the running of a small business. Wells has the auction house here in town but both worked in small stores they owned in Vermont. Their store has three rooms and a very cozy feel to it. And since the store is still new there are some holes as they get more merchandise in over time. Santiago, while new to running a small business, is excited for the opportunity to meet new people and showcase his photography. 

“There’s something for everyone here and if we don’t have it we will work on getting it,” Stryker said. As the store continues to grow and settle Wells, Stryker, and Santiago have plans to expand their offerings. They are working on expanding their jewelry selection and bringing in a selection of loose leaf tea. 

Currently there is no sign up out from but that is only until they get their sign from the store they owned in Vermont with the same name. The sign is original to the store and was crafted by monks that used to patron the store in Vermont. 

“Our number one goal is maintain low prices while maintaining low prices,” Wells said. 

The store will be open Wednesdays- Sundays. Wednesday through Saturday they will be open from 9-6 and Sundays from 10-4. Wells said that they will have the store open during the Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays when the Farmers’  Market ends, the store will be closed Tuesdays as well as Monday. 

If you’re in the mood to check out something new, head on down to Village Variety and see what they have to offer.