VOORHEESVILLE — Elaine Nichols is selling her family’s supermarket but, she says, the name will remain. The market that has become a community center for the village of Voorheesville will be called Nichols’ Shop ’n’ Save.

Nichols is selling to Kevin Smith, who owns three other stores — the Millers Shop ’n’ Save in Averill Park, a store in Ravena, and a store in Schaghticoke, she said. Smith lives in the Ballston Lake area, she said.

The transition will take place on Jan. 27 and 28, said Nichols, who declined naming the sale price.

Nichols and her husband, Jim, moved from Sullivan County to open the supermarket, then called SuperValu, on Maple Avenue, on Jan. 7, 1995, filling a store that had been vacant for years. The family-owned business was one of the few local independent grocery stores in a field increasingly dominated by chains. The Nicholses expanded the store in 2000, adding a pharmacy among other conveniences.
"It was always Jimmy’s dream to own a supermarket," said Elaine Nichols.

The popular grocer died in January of 2002 while snorkeling on a Cayman Island vacation. Elaine Nichols and her son Jaret continued to run the store. Jim Nichols is remembered fondly in the village, and a park behind the village hall was named in his honor.

Elaine Nichols said this week that it was tough carrying on without her husband.
"When somebody has a dream, it’s easy for everyone to jump on the wagon.," she said. "It’s been tough without him. It’s time to move on."
She described Smith as "a person who is much like my husband." She said, "He has the same exuberance for the business."
Smith, she said, will keep on the current staff members, who number just under 100. "He didn’t want to re-staff," said Nichols. "His benefits are the same or better than what we offer."
The staff was told of the sale on Monday, Nichols said. "Kevin handed out his handbooks; it went very smoothly," she said.

Smith’s stores are supplied by Hannaford, said Nichols. Formerly Shop ’n’ Save, Hannaford is now owned by the American subsidiary of the Belgian Delhaize Group, Delhaize America, which owns over 1,500 stores along the east coast. Only a small number of markets — stores that are independently owned and operated franchises that receive merchandise through Hannaford’s wholesale distribution — use the Shop ’n’ Save name, mostly in smaller communities.
"Kevin is an independent store owner, as I am, but he also has the strength of the chain," Nichols said. "I believe I am giving the store longevity."
She added of her husband, "Jim wanted to have multiple stores"It’s important for survival."
Nichols went on, "This decision was made as the best one for our associates, for the store, and for the community."
Nichols said she will stay on, working at the store, for "at least six months to be sure there’s a smooth transition."
Asked if her son Jaret will continue as a manager, Nichols said, "No, he will go out and find his own dream."
Nichols, herself, will continue to live in the area, she said. Asked about her plans, she said, "I have an 88-year-old mother I want to spend more time with."

Nichols was recently honored by the Community Caregivers with its Community Service Award, which lauded her for supporting local organizations and individuals. Her donations ranged from Equinox turkeys to Memorial Day fireworks for the village. She estimated then that Nichols’ Market supports about 150 organizations, by direct financial support, donation of goods, or discounts

Many of her efforts have been funneled through the Kiwanis.
"Kevin is a Kiwanian in Averill Park," said Nichols.
She concluded, "I really hope the community will embrace and support Kevin so they can continue to have a store."