It will be bigger and better, and with any luck, it will be open by St. Patty's Day. That's the word from Phil Troutwine, developer of the new Short Stop convenience mart at the site of the former Y Store, located at the junction of Hwy. 169, Hwy. 1 and County Rd. 77.

Work on the new building has been in high gear since the fall, and it shows. The outside is essentially complete, except for siding, which has been on hold until milder weather returns. In the meantime, work is continuing on the inside, with the installation of new coolers, and service counters for ice cream and bait and tackle, and convenience groceries and gifts. "It will be pretty similar to the old Y Store, except for more room," said Troutwine. The new facility, to be known as The Ledge Short Stop, will have expanded parking (new asphalt will be laid in the spring), modern credit card gas pumps, and an off-sale liquor store, complete with a walk-in beer cooler.

Troutwine says he's looking forward to opening the new store, which will be his twelfth Short Stop in the region.

"This is about as good a location as there is around here," he said, noting that Lake Vermilion is rapidly developing its own economy, which he expects will only expand with the opening of the new golf course at Fortune Bay Resort and Casino.

The store will be managed by Laura Zika, who has also operated the Americash outlet at Fortune Bay. Troutwine said he expects to have other ties with Fortune Bay as well, including running cross-promotions.