China Lake Provisions owners Michael Brown, left, and James Malinky offer a variety of products at their store, located at 9 Main St. in China Village. The store, which celebrated its grand opening this weekend, features locally produced dairy products, meats, vegetables, and syrup, honey and jams, in addition to the more traditional offerings like pizza and beer.. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel

CHINA — Michael Brown recalled his grandfather dropping him off at the general store in China Village when he was 4 to spend the day with his friend, Chris Sylvester.

Sylvester’s father, Jack, owned the store, and the young boys would hang out in the back, drinking chocolate milk and having fun. Brown never forgot those happy times, nor did he ever imagine that one day he would open a business in the same spot.

Brown, now 42, bought the property in late 2023 and he and his business partner, James Malinky, 61, joined forces last year to start developing China Lake Provisions at 9 Main St. with the idea of selling not only groceries, but also pizza, sandwiches, gifts and fresh, locally produced, high-quality food, including grass-fed beef from Brown’s farm.

They worked for nearly a year, overhauling the building by replacing floors and ceilings, building a commercial kitchen, deli and coffee bar, and even installing a new water system.

In early December they held a soft opening, and this weekend they celebrated their grand opening, which coincided with the town’s annual China Ice Days Festival on Saturday. During a tour, Brown pointed out locally produced cheeses, eggs, milk, ice cream, herbs, meats, breads, crackers, flour, maple syrup, honey and canned jams, pickles, carrots and other foods. Also featured: beer, wine, beauty products, jewelry, baked goods and even locally-made laundry soap.

Nellie’s Deli, so named for both Brown’s grandmother and 9-year-old daughter, carries all-natural poultry, ham and roast beef. Deli manager Olivia Haskett is a professional baker who will soon be making breads, cakes, pies, bagels and other items.

Carissa Stein, Brown’s partner, works with him to operate Meadowbrook Farm in China, where Brown grew up. Stein is an expert on grazing and likes helping people to understand the land, from both below and above the ground, she said. She was working in the store’s kitchen Saturday with several other employees including Kernal McIntyre, a professional chef, also from China.

The store was busy Saturday, with a steady flow of customers coming in and out and chatting with Brown and Malinky, who know most of them. The business has been busy from the outset, Brown said. Pizza, which comes in varieties including burger, veggie, roasted root, meat lover, cheese, the Vermonter and green goddess, is particularly popular, he said.

“It’s nothing for us to sell 100 pizzas on a Friday night,” he said. “People just love that they don’t have to go to town and that the food tastes so great,” he said.

China Lake Provisions owners Michael Brown, right, and James Malinky offer a variety of products at their store, located at 9 Main St. in China Village. The store which celebrated its grand opening this weekend, features locally produced dairy products, meats, vegetables, and syrup, honey and jams, in addition to the more traditional offerings like pizza and beer. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel

Malinky built the coffee bar from wood on Brown’s farm; he also built the wine shelves, crates and other features in the store. A former construction office manager who has done multiple other jobs, Malinky handles the store’s books.

“I decided to retire early and this was going to be my retirement hobby so maybe someday I can retire,” he joked. “I really did this for Mike and his daughter. This is such a great community, and it’s amazing how supportive everyone has been throughout the entire process.”

Brown and Malinky decided from the beginning that they wanted to offer three things, in particular: quality products, a clean environment and kindness, Malinky said.

“If I can’t smile at you when I’m taking your money, there’s something wrong,” he said. “Everyone in the community, if we needed anything — or just moral support — it’s all been there, and still is.”

Brown said he developed the business with his daughter in mind, so she may grow up in a place where small farms are important and people can buy fresh, locally-sourced products at a community hub.

“The world is moving so much faster,” he said.

China Lake Provisions, which employs 14 people, is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and the owners said they plan to adjust the hours during the summer to fit people’s needs.

Some providers include Maine Grains, Dutton Family Farm, books by author Tonya Shevenell, First Light Farmstead of Freedom, Lone Wolf Designs, Portland Fruit & Nut Co., Maine Crisp, Creamery Acres, The Ice Cream Lady of Brooklin, Maine Coast Creamery, Bixby Chocolate and Country Meadows Bakery.

Customers may call ahead to place food orders at 207-968-5080 or 207-968-5036, according to the owners. The menu is available at chinalakeprovisions.com.