SACO — A store that many might think of as off the beaten path will get some national attention this weekend.

The Way Way Store, at 93 Buxton Road, is located about three miles from Main Street, which, back when the store first opened in 1916, was considered “way way” away from downtown. The store was founded by the Cousens family, who closed the store in 2003. Current owners Peter and Bridget Scontras reopened the store in 2011.

About three or four weeks ago, Peter Scontras received a surprise call from a producer from CBS Sunday Morning, who said the team was interested in including The Way Way Store in a segment about general stores. The two chatted for about 45 minutes, and she was impressed with Peter’s enthusiasm and passion for the store. It became clear to the producer that running The Way Way Store was more than just a day job for Peter and Bridget.  Two days later she called Peter back, and booked a date for CBS Correspondent Conor Knighton to come down and interview him.

The Way Way Store, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and hearkens back to a simpler time. Peter and Bridget Scontras consider themselves not just store owners, but stewards. Among the items the couple sells are candy, ice cream, locally hand-crafted products, and Moxie – lots of Moxie.

 An array of penny candy for sale is in a wood and glass display counter that’s original to the store. Behind the ice cream counter is an antique shelving unit once used to display rolls of thread. In the corner of the store is a newly acquired phone booth.

Ask Peter Scontras about an antique on display or for sale at the store, and often, you’ll get a history lesson.

“This has been a general store forever. It’s a place where people in the community can go and feel safe, sit down, and talk to each other,” he said.  

A few weekends ago, juxtaposed against all the antiques were wires, cameras, lights and modern film equipment. The crew came down on March 31 and April 1 to film.

“They were here for nine hours on Friday. They came back for three hours on Saturday and talked to customers on our opening day,” said Peter Scontras. All for a spot on a four-minute news story, he said.

Scontras said he enjoyed talking to Knighton, and the interview was a great experience.

“He’s a nice guy – very, very smart and quick on the take,” said Scontras.

The Way Way store will be featured on a news story about the history and survival of general stores that will be included in CBS Sunday Morning’s annual special edition “The Money Show,” said Richard Huff, vice president of communications for CBS, in an email. It is set to be broadcast at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 16 on CBS, and will also be streamed on Paramount+, said Huff.

Peter and Bridget Scontras are preparing themselves for an influx of customers after the national broadcast, though the store already has a cult following. The guest book is full of pages of signatures – some who have traveled across town or the state, some who have come as far away as Japan or Ukraine - to visit the small country store and get a taste of nostalgia.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.