New Store With A Little For Everyone Opens In Somersville

SOMERS, CT — Need to grab a quick snack and run, or feel like sitting down and relaxing while reading a book with a steaming hot cup of coffee? In need of rock salt, a bird feeder, a shirt and tie, or fishing tackle? All that, and much more, can be found at KK's This n' That Shop, a new store at 138 Main Street in Somersville.

Owner Karen Campbell is a familiar face to most Somers residents, having worked for many years at the Sunoco station just up the road from the new shop. She opened her own business in late January, and ensures it is not just a typical convenience store.

A spot named The Gathering Room overlooks the street, and has chairs for customers to sit and read, play chess or checkers and basically take a break from the fast-paced hustle and bustle of daily life.

"You can come in here and relax, sit down and look at a book and decide whether or not you even want to buy it," Campbell said during a recent visit from Patch. "I just want you to relax. I don't want you to feel like you need to come in here, buy what you want and run. If you're in a rush, you can take off quickly, but if you're not, you don't need to feel like you need to leave."

Campbell said her prior experience working for four different owners at the gas station and convenience store has prepared her to give running her own business a shot.

"I'm familiar with running a store, and I can adjust what I need to sell based on what customers want," she said. She cited a request to sell ice cream as one way to fulfill customers wants and needs.

A coffee room has several varieties of flavors, plus tea, cocoa, cold beverages and, coming soon, a cappuccino machine. She also hopes to obtain a lottery license.

Campbell has a collection jar on the counter which supports the Jennifer Creed Fund, established in 1974 to help support the families of children with cancer or birth defects throughout New England. The Fund is overseen by an all-volunteer board, none of whom accept any compensation.

"We went to Boston, saw the ward, and I really like that all the money goes to the children," she said.

The building is not huge, but offers great possibilities for local vendors to showcase their wares. Campbell said she has spoken with residents interested in bringing honey, bracelets, jewelry and paintings into the shop.

February hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.