LECANTO, Fla. — When residents at the Rosecastle of Citrus Assisted Living facility in Lecanto had to stop going to the general store because of the coronavirus pandemic, a staff member thought why now bring the store to them.

Whether residents are looking for some cookies or some toiletries, they will be able to find it at the "This and That" general store and they do not have to walk very far.

Store Manager Bettie McDonough said, “I enjoy every day I come to work here.”

For residents like McDonough, this place is heaven sent. “I do the buying and the pricing and she goes out and she purchases whatever the patient needs and then we put it in our store,” she added. 

Melissa Keesling said she initially came up with the idea.

"It’s truly a miracle for them to be able to do this,” Keesling said. "To them it’s the matter of do I just sit in my room and do nothing or do I continue with my life and have fun.”

Miss Edith Kolifrath and Miss Fran Oglesby will be the first to tell you they are always having fun at the general store

“They got the old fashion crackers,” Kolifrath said while looking around the store. 

Oglesby agreed and said, “This is my most favorite,” while picking up a can of Diet Coke. 

Everything is fairly priced here and “If a resident need to go shopping but don’t have the funds to do that, there’s no concern because we have plenty of money for them at this and that store,” Keesling finished by saying. 

Family members also donate food and toiletries and just the basic needs to the store so that residents do not have to go without.

The staff hope this will inspire other assisted living facilities to open a store of their own.