New name for Baird’s, but emphasis on the old-fashioned

CORNWALL — The model is there: a real general store that offers customers all of the essentials. As customers-turned-owners of the newly named Cornwall General Store, Dana and Louise Beecher believe perspective is what is needed to make the business a success.A lack of experience is not getting in the way of their enthusiasm and confidence. The couple, along with a slightly revamped team, officially takes over the former Baird’s on June 13. But they are already running the Cornwall Bridge village landmark until 3 p.m. every day. “After 3 o’clock, we start cleaning, painting and making new curtains,” Louise Beecher said. “I am the target demographic. We know what is needed.”The couple was living in New York City. She was a promoter for Universal Music. He was a commercial real estate broker. When both jobs fell victim to the recession, they ended up in Cornwall, in the home that belonged to his late father, the renowned artist William Ward Beecher.“We love Cornwall,” Louise Beecher said. “We decided this is where we will stay and we wanted to find a way to make it work, and to give to the community. “Our goal is to fill the needs of the community with a real general store. We will put products everyone needs on the shelves with reasonable prices. “The deli will be the heart of the business, with an uptick that includes baking and roasting on premises. We’ve hired Jeanette Wright, from Sharon Country Club, to prepare simple, wholesome food. We’ll be what people need and want: a place to stop for shoelaces, cat food and to pick up dinner.”Former proprietor Tom Baird and cook Steve Sperduto will remain on board. The atmosphere will be clean, organized, homey, with good music playing and a plan to be a WiFi hot spot, the Beechers said. The Cornwall General Store will be open every day, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.