Rucki’s sold: Another grocery planned

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
ABINGTON  — The new owner of Rucki’s is in an assessment mode but says that a convenience/grocery store is his intent for the long time general store.
May 13 Rucki’s was purchased by Mahalaximi Realty LLC of Putnam. New owner Niranjan “Nick” Thapaliya, owner of Putnam Supermarket, said it will be a while, perhaps a few months, to see what’s needed and how to best approach a convenience/grocery store.
“It will be a retail general type of store,” he said. Since Rucki’s was a three-generation business in Putnam and then in Abington, most of the permits needed for a grocery store are already in place, “all set.”
Thapaliya said he will be looking at whether there is a beer permit already in place that can be transferred. Rucki’s sign did mention beer.
He said he will also have to work on the issue of parking. Currently there are, at the most, four parking spaces in front of the store.
Changes at the store will also hinge on the availability of contractors.
He stressed that his business, too, is a family business and he plans to bring that touch to the store.
The warranty deed filed at town hall said the “premises are conveyed subject to easements, restrictions and agreements as of record appear, building and building line restrictions, any and all provisions of municipal ordinances including planning, zoning and inland wetland regulations of the Town of Pomfret, public or private law, municipal assessments and taxes hereinafter coming due  against these premises.”
Rucki’s had a moving sale about a month ago. There had been some interest from buyers who wanted to turn the 11,000-plus square foot building into apartments, but the Rucki family wanted the next incarnation of a general store.
The business began with Walter Rucki in Manhasset Village in Putnam. The Flood of 1955 destroyed the business and the store moved to Abington in July, 1958.
Walter Rucki and family that followed were meat cutters and Rucki’s was also known for its deli.
The building sits on .36 acres.

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