A love of Spread Eagle and a sense of nostalgia led sisters Julia Napper and Nicole Smith to purchase the building when it became available.

“We grew up with our parents and grandparents having a place on the lake and we always went to the party mart,” Smith said.

“It has just been a staple in the community for years and years. We grew up coming here and getting candy, so it was hard to see it closed for three years,” Napper said. “We really enjoy this community, we like the people that are here and we wanted to provide a place to come have ice cream, a slice of pizza or coffee.”

Napper and Smith said the name is in memory of their mother, Kay Villa, who died in 2023.

VILLA’S LAKESIDE MARKET, 1530 U.S. 2 in Spread Eagle, Wis., had its grand opening Tuesday. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

“She was probably one of the best people ever and this is just one way we can honor her — she loved the lake and our cottage,” Smith said. “We want to run the store the way she lived — her home always had an open door and she made her guests feel very welcome. There was always room for one more. She cultivated a community of love, joy and an everlasting sense of belonging.”

Napper and Smith purchased the building at the end of 2023 and interviewed several contractors before settling on one. Work proceeded quickly, as Napper and Smith knew people had missed the market.

The remodel was extensive. Though a previous owner had put in new electrical, HVAC and a roof, they otherwise bought a gutted building. The interior of Villa’s Lakeside Market is all new.

Napper and Smith both work in distribution and say that by moving into the retail side, they are becoming their own customers. Napper and Smith will own the business from afar, as Napper lives in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Smith calls Springfield, Mo., home.

Both agree the market is in good hands with the hiring of General Manager Kyla Vasseau, who they say brings a depth of knowledge to the job they may have not had otherwise.

Now that the store has opened, Napper and Smith have started a scrapbook so customers can share their memories of the market.

Villa’s Lakeside Market offers a variety of items — a little bit of everything, Smith said. Customers will find many of the usual convenience store items, beer, liquor, candy, snacks, groceries and household items. In addition, they have an ice cream counter, pizza by the slice and self-serve coffee.

Villa’s Lakeside Market also sells Spread Eagle merchandise, hats, shirts, mugs. Both Napper and Smith are pleased by the demand so far for the merchandise.

Plans for the not-so-distant future include for a cafe where customers will be able to enjoy espressos and lattes. Also coming soon is a bait room, with minnows and other live bait.

Not only is Villa’s Lakeside Market accessible from the highway, they have docks for coming off the lakes as well.

Smith said Villa’s Lakeside Market soon will have a suggestion box for customers to request items to stock.

“This store is for the community, so we want to give them what they want. We are doing what we think is going to work (now), but we are going to make changes in the next year,” Smith said.

The response so far has been wonderful, Napper and Smith said.

“It is so sweet when people come and thank us for opening the store,” Napper said.

“As we pulled up just a few minutes ago we saw kids coming out with ice cream and we were just giddy,” Smith added. “It just makes us so happy that people are coming here and enjoying it together as families.”

Villa’s Lakeside Market is at 1530 U.S. 2 in Spread Eagle and is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Tuesdays.