Planning board approves 'Auction Smoke Shop' at 489 Main Street

The Oxford Planning Board approved an application for a new retail tobacco and convenience store, called the Auction Smoke Shop, at 489 Main Street during a June 11, 2026 meeting.

A planning staff member told the board the property has long been used for commercial retail but that converting it from general retail to a smoke shop constituted a change of use that required plan review, public notice and a hearing. The staff member said, based on a review of submitted paperwork, the proposal "falls within the current zoning ordinance and land use requirements."

The applicant, who initially spoke as "Vic" and later provided the name "J. Maruti," described the business as a small convenience‑style store that will sell tobacco products and vapes, lottery, prepackaged snacks and beverages, and "about 10%" alcohol such as beer and wine. He said there will be no on‑site cooking and that the store will be open seven days a week. "I try to do good competition so it's good for town people," the applicant said when describing his pricing and service plans.

On operations and equipment, the applicant said he plans to install small coolers and upgrade the electrical service from the building's current 100‑amp panel; in his words, he "have a plan to do like three or 400" to handle the additional load. A planning staff member noted the town does not perform electrical inspections and that electrical permitting and inspection are handled at the state level.

Several board members spoke in favor of the proposal, citing competition and continuity with existing retail uses. One board member said the applicant has relevant experience operating the Parkside store on Skifield Road for more than two years. After a brief discussion the board moved to accept the proposal "for the Oxford smoke shop at 489 Main Street in Oxford as presented." The chair called for a voice vote and announced the motion carried; individual vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

Following the approval, the board and applicant completed paperwork. The applicant said state-level licenses and inspections have been applied for and that he will provide the town a firm opening date once those approvals are confirmed. The meeting was then adjourned.

The planning board's approval allows the applicant to continue with state permitting and licensing steps required before opening; the transcript does not record a detailed compliance checklist or a recorded roll‑call vote.