Country music plays on the radio, onion rings and pizza slices slowly spin in the rotating display dish, and a brunette woman orders pizza and sits down to wait and catches up some with the manager.

It's another afternoon at T&D Variety in Boothbay on Route 27, adjacent to the Boothbay Railway Village.

Behind this scene, plans are being finalized for the grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New owners Tim Simmons and Deb Frenkel have been planning this grand opening since they purchased the former Dave's AG property in March. Simmons, a third generation lobsterman, has been fishing out of the South Bristol Fishermen's Coop since the early 1990s and before that out of the Friendship-Waldoboro area.

T&D Variety is managed by Simmons' sister, Tammy Mills, his right arm on land and sea; for years she was her brother's sternwoman. Simmons admits that with his fishing schedule, he couldn't do T&D Variety without Mills.

“We're a good pair, and she has had a lot of experience in management and stores,” Simmons said.

Together they've cooked up one heck of a grand opening.

Tim Sprague & The Murky Water Band will bring live country and Southern rock to T&D's meadow. Employee Beth Barter, her husband Bob, and friend Paula Reny recommended Sprague's band. “I wanted to have more than one local band, but on such short notice not many were available,” Simmons said. “Beth and Paula both said he would do a great job and help with announcements and giveaways.”

This grand opening celebration will also include a lot of food. T&D will be offering one and two topping pizza samples. Lobsterman Tim will be steaming up some of his catch (1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds) for $6 each during the event and folks can sign up in advance at the store.

Mingling with the aroma of lobster will be that of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill for, get this: 50 cents and $1 respectively. Thirsty? No problem, go on inside for a 50-cent fountain drink. Free dessert brownies and cookies will round out your meal.

“We've heard a lot of good comments from people about our food,” Simmons said. “We care about the quality of our food and giving good service.”

Didn't bring your dancing shoes? How about your sneakers? Kids and adults can shoot hoops and try their hands at putt putt golf for prizes from T&D Variety, Camden National Bank and the Maine State Lottery (no, not cash).

Simmons said they may have gift pails with merchandise worth $20 to $40 from each business. Some of the prizes will include T-shirts, sweatshirts, glassware, and caps.

But, the grand prize for the raffle (you must sign up in person) is two New Hampshire NASCAR Speedway tickets and a $50 gas card. The drawing will be at 2:45 p.m.

The gifts don't stop there … pull up to one of the pumps and get fuel for less than the price advertised on the digital billboard. No kidding. Fill up your car, park it on the meadow and join the rest of your friends and neighbors at the opening.

And kids ride for free at Boothbay Railway Village across the street. Bring a receipt for any purchase (during the grand celebration hours) to the Village and your child (aged 16 and under) can ride the narrow-gauge steam train for free. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or adult.

The Boothbay Fire Department will have one of its trucks on site for the kids to investigate and learn about from a firefighter or two. And the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service will be performing blood pressure checks at no charge.

“We've been scared and looking forward to this at the same time,” Simmons said. “We just want everyone to come over and have a good time.”