WESTFORD — A convenience store in Nabnasset has unveiled a new outdoor seating area among other additions for customers to enjoy next summer.
Nab’s One Stop Shop, near the corner of Brookside Road and Oak Hill Road, is a family-owned grocer that sells greeting cards, energy drinks, meats and 99 cent coffee. The location is featured on the Westford Education Foundation’s Westford-Opoly, with board games available for purchase in store.
“I always try to have the latest and greatest stuff,” Store Manager Matt Farber told WestfordCAT.
Outdoor seating
The shop in September opened its new outdoor seating area, complete with games, picnic tables, lights and murals.
“My goal here was to have a space for the community, as well as have them involved,” he said.
Farber said his new murals, which feature a rendition of the original 1960s-era shop, were spray painted by local artist John Paul Riggio, while his tables were provided and stained by Plaistow, NH-based Jimmy’s Picnic Tables.
Other businesses, such as Westford-based Mark Lupien Electrical, Anderson Landscaping, LeBlanc Plumbing, Landim Masonry, Lime Painting and Benfica Construction contributed to the project.
Farber emphasized the space is for more than just customers.
“You don’t have to buy something to come here. You can come here and take a break, he said. “I want people to enjoy the space.”
The seating area will close for the winter on Nov. 1 and reopen on April 1, 2025.
Creating a ‘one stop shop’
The shop also aims to be competitive with other retailers. Where the store cannot compete on price, Farber said he competes on service.
“The big stores have an advantage. The thing we try to pride ourselves on is service, we try to know everybody’s name,” he said. “We try to stand out and offer that personal service, I think the world is lacking in that.”
He added, “My dad instilled in me that you treat people the way you want to be treated, treat everybody with respect.”
Farber said he hopes to expand his sales into beer and wine. Town Meeting in 2023 voted to authorize the Select Board to petition the state for an additional alcohol license for the business.
Bill H. 4188, which would grant a license to the business, is awaiting its third reading in the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Profesional Licensure as of March 14.
Farber said the business may extend its operating hours if alcohol sales are permitted.
