TRR photo by Tom Kane Beth Cortese takes over Steve’s Country Store on Kirk Road. (Click for larger image)

Country store changes management

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — Steve’s Country Store is changing hands.

The new operator, Beth Cortese, will be leasing the store for two years from owner Steve Daley with an option to buy after that time elapses. Beth has been working at the store for ten years and managing it for the last two years.

“I like working retail and I’m a people person,” Cortese said. “I spend so much time here that I felt, ‘why not own it?’”

The only new challenge she sees is the bookkeeping and accounting.

“My sister-in-law is a bookkeeper, so she’s going to help me,” she said.

The convenience store, which rents movie videos as well as selling gas, groceries, newspapers, nessecities and knick-knacks, will continue to be called Steve’s Country Store, and will remain open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.

“The only day we’re closed is Christmas,” Cortese said.

Cortese has plans to change a few things. “I want to give the store more country charm,” she said, but she’s not sure just yet how she will do that.