A year ago in March, Kathleen and Charlie Francis purchased the Tuckerton Emporium, saving the historic building from becoming a Wawa Superstore. The building was built in 1921 and served the community as a dry-goods store selling commodities from shoes to mattresses, clothing and bolts of fabric.

The Tuckerton Emporium, operated for years by Rose Mary and John Kumpel as a cooperative for crafts people and antique dealers, was always a highlight of downtown gift shopping.