Actually, we don't know. But neither does anybody else — yet — so here's your chance to have a say in the future of a historic Montgomery County building in Poolesville.

The county parks department is holding a public meeting on Jan. 29 to gather community input on what should be done with the home of a business that represents an important part of the county's rural heritage. The meeting will be held at the Upcounty Regional Services Center from 1–2:30 p.m. and is preceded by an open house at the Poole’s General Store from 10 a.m.–noon.

The store was opened by the Poole family (yes those Pooles) in 1948. The store served the local equestrian, hunting and farming communities until it closed on Dec. 31.

The property along the C&O Canal is now owned by the Montgomery Department of Parks, which bought the property from the Allnutt family in 1976. The structure was built in 1901, according to the Maryland Historic Trust.

The Poole children decided to close the store because of slower business and the declining health of their parents. However, some local residents are hoping to convince them to stay open.

Montgomery Parks said last month it has “already been approached by several individuals interested in leasing the property."