A Family Business Serving Bath since 1934
Everyone I meet and talk to in the course of putting this paper together has a unique and fascinating tale to tell and it is so much fun to learn the story behind the people and businesses in our communities.
The Bath SaveEasy has a long and interesting history behind it. It has been at the same location for 50 years now, as Gailen Drost built the building in 1962. He is the second generation of Drosts to operate a market in Bath., as his parents John and Mary Drost had opened John A. Drost Merchant in 1934 on the corner across from the current store.
Gailen bought the business in 1958, and after the new store had been erected, he then joined the SaveEasy chain in 1963.
The Drost family originally immigrated to New Brunswick back during the Revolutionary War. Peter Drost was the head of a Loyalist Regiment and, as a Loyalist in the newly minted United States ended up spending a year in military prison in New York.
Upon his release, he headed north to Saint John. Three of his sons eventually moved to the Wicklow area and Gailen is the descendant of one of these sons.
The Bath SaveEasy currently has three generations of Drosts working to serve their community. Gailen’s sons Mike and Peter both work at the store, with Peter having started helping out 35 years ago when he was a lad of 10 years old. Peter’s son Brycen is now also a member of the staff, the fourth generation to work in the business! The Bath SaveEasy employs 19 people altogether, making it one of this tiny village’s largest employers.
In addition to offering a full line of groceries, the store has a full from scratch bakery and a deli department. You can pick up a tasty Take-n-Bake Pizza here as well.
Our small River Valley communities need and depend upon all of our local independent businesses to provide jobs, services and goods to the area residents.
These businesses, in turn, depend upon the support of their communities to keep the wheel of life turning!
Shop Local isn’t just a catchy slogan, it’s a whole philosophy…. a way of living and being to preserve our communities, jobs and services.
Indeed, our whole way of life in our beautiful rural communities depends upon the businesses that form the backbones of our local economies.
Stop in soon to enjoy the hometown hospitality and service at Drost’s Bath SaveEasy!
Stephanie Kelley
