By CRAIG FREILICH

RENSSELAER FALLS – Lynn and Robert Chapin are selling Chapin’s Country Market, 102 Canton St.

The Chapins have owned the store for seven years, and are giving it up only because Lynn is having some physical trouble.

“I have an old injury and can no longer be on my feet for long. We had to make a decision,” she said.

The asking price for the business and the building is $150,000. People may inquire at the store in person or by calling 344-1257.

She said owning the store “had been a childhood dream.” Seven years ago she and Robert bought the store, which at that time was in the nature of a convenience store.

“Don and Dora Hammond built it in the 1950s. It was Hammond’s Corner Variety,” Lynn said.

“We have the hand-drawn plans here in the store. This was their dream. They lived right next door.”

It has passed through several hands since the Hammonds owned it.

“Each owner added onto it. The prior owner put in a kitchen, and we added a bakery, ice cream, and the deli.

“The fact that it’s been here for 50 years is interesting to me. It’s a nice little store”

The Chapins’ pride in their work is evident.

“We use our own USDA approved beef, with no steroids or chemicals. Whatever we make in the bakery is all made from scratch, nothing from a box. We try to keep everything healthy,” Lynn said.

“We hate to have to put it up for sale. Maybe if the economy was better we could hire someone and I could back off, but we had no choice.

“We want somebody to take it over and take care of it. That would be grand.”