Carell Buys General Store to Preserve Community History

What's not to like about Steve Carell? The self-absorbed boss of The Office and Maxwell Smart in the movie version of Get Smart is one of the funniest and most charming actors today. On top of that, the 45 year old bought the Marshfield Hills General Store in Massachusetts.

The Carell family spends the summers in Marshfield Hills and when the 155 year old building went up for sale he jumped at the chance to preserve this bit of the community's history. He said: "This is much more of an emotional investment than a business one....I saw an opportunity to help to preserve a little piece of history. I also felt that places like the Marshfield Hills General Store represent a gathering place, and give people a sense of community. These spots are growing more and more scarce. I hope to keep this particular one alive and well."

Carell's sister-in-law will run the store. But Carell said he himself will run the cash register and stock shelves when he's not working in television or movies.

Marshfield Hills will probably experience an increase in tourists who are hoping to catch Carell in such ordinary surroundings for a casual chat, don't you think? Which may be yet another way to preserve the community.

Resources:

Mandi Bierly, "Steve Carell owns a general store in Massachusetts. Really.", http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/01/steve-carell-ma.html, EW.com