CONWAY — With a liquor license approved Tuesday, the historic former garage on Main Street is one step closer to taking on its new life as a package and convenience store for residents.

Over the last year, resident Robert Llamas has been preparing to open The Conway Trading Post in the former home of Germain Garage, which was built in the 1920s and operated until the 1960s by Leon Germain and his brother. The Germain family had deep roots in Conway and left a large trust fund for town projects and scholarships.

Llamas initially appeared before the Selectboard in August 2022 and said he planned to open his store before the end of year, but unforeseen delays with contractors pushed the opening back. Now, with those challenges behind him, Llamas hopes to open before the end of the year.

“I was essentially retiring from my corporate job … and it seemed like something to do to keep me out of trouble,” Llamas said. “This will kind of be my second career, and we’re also restoring a great building in Conway.”

Selectboard Chair Philip Kantor said residents have expressed interest in the revival of the building.

“It’s one of the most frequently asked questions: ‘When is that place opening up?’” Kantor said, adding that the board was happy to grant the liquor license for a new business. “Anything that we can do for the downtown of the village is always good.”

He added that Leon Germain was “instrumental to Conway” and town officials have been finding all sorts of historical artifacts in the former garage that could be used in a small Conway Historical Society exhibit. Llamas also happens to be a Historical Society trustee.

On top of restoring a historical building right in Conway’s downtown area, Llamas said his store will help fill the gap left by Sunset Trail Garage — known to some as Langevins’ because it was run by brothers Bob and Ray Langevin. Sunset Trail Garage offered the unique combination of alcohol, snacks and vehicle repairs.

“I miss Langevins’ too,” Llamas said. “You’ve got to drive down to Deerfield to get a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine.”

While Llamas won’t be fixing vehicles — “it is a garage in spirit,” he said — he hopes The Conway Trading Post can carry some of the “essentials,” like bread, alongside ice cream and other sweet treats.

Though it won’t be open in time for the Festival of the Hills on Oct. 1, Llamas hopes to open up the garage doors and welcome people in for coffee as a little sneak peek of what’s to come. Coffee will be free and he’ll be collecting donations to support the festival or another local group.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.