By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Town Council voted to spend $6,000 over what they had initially budgeted on the Eisenhower Lock gift shop, but the town supervisor wasn’t very happy about it.

“This is the last year we’re going to do it at this level, in my opinion,” Supervisor Joseph Gray said.

They planned on giving $5,000 to help run the outlet, which is overseen by the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce.

Mark Bogdan spoke on behalf of the chamber and told the board that they employ eight college-age people to staff the shop. The town plus their profits are the main engine, with the chamber supplying the actual merchandise.

“Is there a business plan to eventually become self-sufficient?” Councilman Samuel Carbone asked, on the tail of a discussion about an outside business possibly getting a bid to run the shop.

“It’s not feasible for any business to go in there without support,” Bogdan said, noting that the St. Lawrence Seaway allows them to run the shop for no rent and no utility cost.

Last year, Bogdan said about 52,500 people visited the locks and the shop made about $22,000.