Empire State Development and the New York Department of State Announce Groundbreaking for Nature’s Storehouse Expansion in Canton

April 2, 2026

NY Forward project will include expanded footprint for a new cafe, expanded bulk/produce area and four renovated apartments

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Empire State Development and the New York Department of State today announced the start of construction on a $662,000 expansion and rehabilitation project at Nature’s Storehouse, a full-service natural food store, in Canton. Supported by the state’s NY Forward program, the project will create a seamless floor plan that integrates Nature Storehouse’s current 21 Main Street location with an adjacent historic building at 19 Main Street, adding a new cafe with table seating for customers as well as expanded retail space throughout. Nature’s Storehouse owners Clark and Yen Maine were awarded a $497,000 NY Forward grant in 2025 to facilitate the project, which will complement the store’s long-standing natural food and supplement business.

“The expansion of Nature’s Storehouse serves as a cornerstone of the NY Forward revitalization initiative in Canton and will demonstrate how targeted investments can breathe new life into our rural downtowns,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “By modernizing these historic buildings to include both a vibrant new cafe and much-needed residential units, Clark and Yen Maine are helping to create a more resilient, healthy and walkable community. Empire State Development is proud to support small businesses that anchor our downtowns and drive local economic growth.”

“This expansion represents the kind of community-driven investment NY Forward is designed to support,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “By breathing new life into historic buildings; expanding access to healthy, locally sourced foods; and adding new residential and gathering spaces, this project will strengthen the vitality of downtown while deepening Canton’s connection to the North Country. Investments like this not only support small businesses and local producers, but also help create more vibrant, walkable communities where residents and visitors alike can live, work and thrive.”

“Nature’s Storehouse is driven by a purpose to nurture a healthier, more sustainable North Country,” said Nature’s Storehouse Owners Clark and Yen Maine. “The development of Nature’s Café is a pivotal step toward our ‘Vision 2028’ of becoming the region’s premier health and wellness hub.”

The project removes a party wall between the two historic storefronts; adds ADA-compliant front and rear entrances; modernizes building systems and commercial equipment; constructs the sit-down cafe and expanded bulk/produce area; rehabilitates four upper-story apartments; and restores facades, masonry, signage and energy-efficient windows.

After four years abroad, Clark and Yen Maine returned to their North Country roots in 2022 to raise their family and lead the next chapter of their family business, Adirondack Fragrance and Flavor Farm. Clark, who grew up in Parishville, and Yen, a Taiwan native currently working toward her U.S. citizenship, share a deep commitment to giving back to the region. In 2023, the couple solidified their investment in the community’s future by acquiring two landmark local enterprises: Adirondack Fragrance & Flavor Farm and Nature’s Storehouse.

Since 1972, Nature’s Storehouse has welcomed friends, neighbors, students and tourists alike, providing quality natural, local and organic goods. By doubling its footprint, the Maines are not only preserving a historic structure but also expanding vital access to local organic foods and wellness products. This growth allows Nature’s Storehouse to strengthen partnerships with dozens of North Country farmers and producers, fostering a more resilient local food system and creating new jobs in St. Lawrence County. While Nature’s Storehouse has offered vegetarian takeout for years, the new cafe will provide a dedicated space for made-to-order meals, specialty drinks and indoor seating.

In addition to the Nature’s Storehouse project, the five Canton NY Forward projects, totaling $4.5 million, include:

Revitalize the Former Midtown Plaza to Create a Mixed-Use Space ($2,000,000): Redevelop the former Midtown Plaza into a mixed-use space that provides housing, an entrepreneurship center and community amenities.
Upgrade Park Amenities in the Village Green to Enhance Community Space ($1,096,000): Upgrade Village Green with improved pathways, lighting, seating, and diverse plantings to create an inviting year-round space while maintaining the park’s historic character.
Transform 11 – 11 ½ Riverside Drive into a Commercial Fitness Hub ($807,000): Transform the partially vacant building at 11 and 11 ½ Riverside Drive into a commercial fitness center and studio space to provide health and wellness opportunities to the community and boost downtown business activity.
Upgrade the TAUNY Center to Offer Improved Art and Cultural Experiences ($100,000): Upgrade the TAUNY Center with renovations to the building’s facade and interior to improve accessibility and functionality.

The Village of Canton, home to an historic downtown area and crossroads connecting the St. Lawrence River Valley, was named a NY Forward Round 2 winner for the North Country in 2024. The projects will help generate a regional destination centered around diverse housing options; art and cultural attractions; variety of local businesses; and recreational offerings. Other NY Forward winners in the North Country include Cape Vincent, Lyons Falls, Waddington, Alexandria Bay, Gouverneur and Keeseville.

North Country Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs James McKenna and Dr. Kathryn Morris said, “Nature’s Storehouse has been a vital part of the St. Lawrence County landscape for over 50 years, and this project ensures it will remain a destination for generations to come. By doubling its downtown footprint and deepening its partnerships with Adirondack producers, this project perfectly aligns with our regional strategy to support sustainable entrepreneurship and enhance the quality of life in our North Country village centers.”

Senator Daniel Stec said, “The expansion and rehabilitation of Nature’s Storehouse serves two purposes: it preserves a historic site for future generations and helps a vital local business expand. Once completed, this project will be a major benefit to the Canton area.”

Assemblymember Scott Gray said, “Investing in our rural downtowns means investing in the small businesses that are the backbone of the North Country. As the representative of the 116th District, I’m proud to support initiatives like NY Forward that give entrepreneurs like Clark and Yen Maine the opportunity to grow, create jobs, and strengthen communities like Canton.”

Village of Canton Mayor Michael Dalton said, “The groundbreaking at Nature’s Storehouse marks an exciting milestone in our collective vision for a more vibrant and walkable downtown. By breathing new life into these historic storefronts and expanding a beloved local institution, this project captures the spirit of the state’s NY Forward program. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, our state partners and the Maine family for their continued investment in and commitment to Canton’s future as a healthy, vibrant, and walkable community.”

St. Lawrence County Legislator Anthony R. Levato said, “Today’s groundbreaking for Nature’s Storehouse builds on the steady progress of Canton’s downtown. I applaud Clark and Yen Maine for their commitment to our community and am excited to see their business grow here. Integrating these two Main Street buildings not only brings economic stability and health to St. Lawrence County, it also preserves the architectural heritage of the historic downtown corridor; a testament to the state’s NY Forward program and its vital role in revitalizing our communities.”

St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ben Dixon said, “We are ecstatic about the expansion project that Clark and Yen Maine are launching at Nature’s Storehouse, which has been an integral part of Canton’s character and identity for decades. It will enhance the business community, making Canton’s downtown even more inviting and vibrant, while ultimately adding to the quality of life and community vitality of Canton and St. Lawrence County. The Nature’s Storehouse expansion will provide the highest quality, healthy foods for residents while enhancing the local food system, and will offer a healthy, delicious, and unique dining option for visitors. We applaud Clark and Yen on their community-focused entrepreneurial spirits, as well as the Village and Town of Canton and New York State for their support and investment in this impactful project.”

About Nature’s Storehouse
Nature’s Storehouse is a full-service health food store located in the vibrant college Town of Canton. Founded in 1972 and independently owned and managed, the business and its ownership have remained committed to providing the local community with natural, organic, and local goods for more than 50 years. Located in an historic brick building on Main Street, Nature’s Storehouse is home to wellness practitioners and a retail space selling local produce, dairy, bulk foods, spices and herbs, grocery, supplements, body products, gifts, and house-made take-out. The 2016 recipient of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Excellence Award, Nature’s Storehouse is a mainstay of healthy living in New York’s North Country.

About the NY Forward Program
First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects.

NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through four rounds, the NY Forward program will have awarded a total of $400 million to 77 communities across every region of the State. The Governor has proposed another $100 million for the program in her 2026-2027 Executive Budget.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

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