BATH

The Winnegance General Store is among Maine’s most endangered historic properties.

Maine Preservation, which published its 16th annual list Thurs- day, said the building is “threatened by declining conditions due to lack of use and potential surrounding development.

“Since the store is easily accessible to the adjoining towns of Phippsburg, Bath and West Bath, catering to the needs of these communities would help facilitate successful rehabilitation of the property,” the report said.

The 1902 Winnegance General Store was the kind of oldfashioned grocery and bait shop where old men would gather on cold days to slap a board over the pickle barrel and play dominoes — as much a community center as grocery store.

It was kept open, albeit in an abbreviated form, until its last owner-operator died in

2009.

When it changed hands, it was discovered that the property had significant structural issues. Many, including foundation problems, stemmed from an accident in which a woman crashed into the building a year earlier; others were expected in a building of its age.

Neighbors want the general store on Route 209 at the Bath- West Bath line to make a comeback. There’s a petition of sorts posted in front of the building on an old sign that says that the store is “undergoing renovations.”

It is the only retail establishment in the village of Winnegance, and locals would like it to become part of village life once again.

The property had been listed for sale with Bath real estate broker Sharon Drake; it no longer is.

Other brokers have opined that the property is in such bad shape it can only be sold as a lot, with the building practically worthless.

Maine Preservation also updated the status of the freight shed on Commercial Street, which had been on the 2012 Most Endangered List.

Thanks to a group of concerned citizens, the redeveloped site houses Maine’s First Ship — a group of volunteer boat builders constructing a replica of the pinnace Virginia, built at Popham Colony in the winter of 1607.

The building is also used for Bath’s winter farmers market, from November to May; as well as for art exhibits and community functions.

Maine’s First Ship and the Bath Freight Shed Alliance have held numerous fundraisers and crowdfunding events to raise money to save the building.

ghamilton@timesrecord.com