LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. — The bright yellow building at 78 Crandall Road has been a fixture in Adamsville Village since the mid-1800s.

Interested in owning the historic Little Compton spot, home to Simmons Cafe and Market for nearly a decade? It can be yours for $985,000.

Jennifer Marshall Grantham, owner of Simmons Cafe and Market, announced in a March 19 post on their Facebook page that she has put the eatery up for sale after nine years in business.

"Feels like the hardest decision of my life, but we listed the whole property for sale yesterday," wrote Grantham of the unique property at the heart of the seaside town that also includes a single-family home.

Where is Simmons Cafe and Market?

Formerly F.A. Simmons Store, a modest general store that opened at the Crandall Road spot in 1922, Grantham and her husband Rupert took over the property in 2014, and embarked on its next chapter: a cafe and gathering place.

They gave it an upscale, modern upgrade while keeping the historic character of the building intact. The cafe is located on one side of the building, and the market out front is part gift shop and part food store with a focus on sustainable and local.

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In a Herald News story shortly after their May 2014 opening, Grantham said she wanted customers to think of Simmons as “a year-round indoor farmer’s market."

"We wanted to build up this resource for the community, where we could all get healthy food, fast. Where we could support local farmers and artists. And to provide a place for the community to come together," Grantham said via email on Thursday.

Situated at the junction of Route 179 and Route 81, it drew customers from Little Compton, Tiverton, Westport and beyond.

Why are Simmons Cafe owners selling?

Grantham said their decision to put the business they've built over the past nine years up for sale was prompted by a few different reasons including the impacts of the COVID pandemic. She also cited her family's recent move to East Providence, where her kids attend school. "It just became too much to manage the way I wanted to," said Grantham, who felt it was time to focus on other projects.

Since taking the reins in January 2014, the space has undergone quite a transformation. First in its vision - a former general store reimagined as a lively cafe and marketplace with a focus on locally sourced natural and organic foods and items created by local artists. Then, as a community gathering place featuring live events.

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Over the years, until the start of COVID, Simmons held Friday Night Live music and dinners, serving anywhere to 80 to 100 people in the back garden, with a bar, dancing and live music. "The community absolutely loved that!" Grantham said. These "wildly successful" events have been "sorely missed since 2020," their property listing states.

They also ran a from-scratch and organic food co-op, that she said helped save Simmons when sales dropped during COVID in 2020 and 2021.

Is Simmons Cafe and Market still open?

According to Grantham, Simmons is not shutting its doors just yet. The cafe and market will remain open with the current hours through spring. They're also still hiring. Grantham said she's looking to fill four to six positions, and has put out a callout to anybody looking for short time work, which could potentially continue with the new owners.

What are buyers going to get with this property?

The property, located at a well-traveled intersection near the Westport town line, includes the 2,300-square-foot cafe and store building - with a full kitchen and prep kitchen - as well as the nearby single-family home and garage. The sale also includes the business. There are 10 parking spots, and the cafe has a beer and wine license that can be transferred to the new owner.

The historic Greek Revival two-story home, which features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a full basement, as well as front and back porch, can be utilized as a short-term rental.

Any interested buyers so far?

Grantham said they've had an overwhelming response since putting the property on the market just a few days ago, with folks from across the country and even right down the street expressing interest. She is in no rush to sell, she said, as long as it goes to a great buyer.

"I am really hoping someone with some experience, vision, and understanding of a small town vibe buys it … I know there are generations of locals and visitors who count on this,” she said.

Grantham said she will miss her time at Simmons, and the tight-knight staff and community of customers she developed there.

Those interested in taking a tour of the property can check out their listing at https://www.simmonsstoreforsale.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Simmons Cafe and Market in Little Compton RI is for sale