SACO — A new generation of children are buying penny candy at the Way Way Store.

The store, which is located at 93 Buxton Road, closed in 2003. Local historian and retired teacher Peter Scontras opened the store last Friday under a lease agreement with the Cousens family, which owns the store.

The store is easily recognized by passersby with its red and white block print and rock-covered columns and is on the National Register of Historic places.

The Way Way store was originally opened in the late 1920s by Eugene Cousens. It was called the Way Way store because its location in North Saco was “way, way” out of town, said Scontras. The store was once a general store, hardware store and gas station. In its later years, the store was operated by Peggy Cousens Tyrell and her niece Catherine Cousens, and was known for its penny candy.

On Wednesday, music from the Carter Family and the Andrews Sisters played in the background. A display in the front of the store pays homage to the store’s history, with items that include a 1936 automobile defroster fan and a filling station license from 1947.

Soft lighting, which is typical of old stores, is provided by school house lights more than 100 years old, said Scontras.  The Cousens’ original cash register, with a label stating it was patented on June 20, 1919, still sits on the counter.

Scontras has brought back the penny candy, which starts at 2 cents, and also sells a wide range of other candy.

In front of the candy counter is the wood box, which children used to stand on to get a better look at the candy in the store, and wait for individual attention from Cousens and Tyrell.

“When kids stand on the box, all the attention is on them,” said Scontras.

Lisa Pelletier of Biddeford brought her two sons, 11-year-old Jacob and 16-year-old Josh, to the store Wednesday morning.

“I love this store,” she said. “We’re glad it’s back open.” She said she used to take her sons to the Way Way Store when they were younger and she likes the old-fashioned atmosphere of the place.

People who remember the store from when the Cousens ran it are now taking their children and grandchildren, said Scontras. He described the opening of the store as “very emotional” and said he’s had some people come up to him and thank him for reopening the store.

“It’s almost like an old friend was resurrected,” said Scontras.

The store also sells ice cream, which can be purchased from take-out windows.

“We’re trying to get people used to the take-out windows, but they want to come in and see the store,” said Scontras.

Already, Scontras has had to restock on some flavors of ice cream.

“It’s been unbelievable,” he said. Scontras sells local milk that’s kept in a Coca Cola freezer that dates back about 60 years, soft drinks and some grocery items. He is also selling used canoes on the premises.

Jenny Scontras, a cousin of Peter Scontras, said she remembers going to the Way Way store when she was young as a reward if she did well at swimming lessons. Jenny, a recent Thornton Academy graduate, is working at the store this summer before she goes to Brandeis in the fall.

“The candy shelf is exactly like I remember it,” she said. She said it’s fun to see people’s excitement when they go up to the candy counter and see the penny candy and all the other choices.

The store is open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1-9 p.m., said Scontras.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.