An iconic building in Somerset village has a new tenant.

Bargain Hunters is to open today on Mangrove Bay Road in the building that was occupied by Somerset Pharmacy before it closed last July.

The West End home decor, housewares and hardware store was formerly located in Springfield, a Bermuda National Trust property on Somerset Road in Sandys, for more than five years.

The store’s lease was up in July last year, but was extended month to month until November.

Bernette Forde, co-owner of Bargain Hunters with her husband, Michael, said the National Trust indicated that it wanted to use Springfield “for a green initiative”.

The new locale became available when Somerset Pharmacy was shuttered by owners Eleanor and Graham Fowle, baby boomers who were nearing retirement age.

“Somerset Pharmacy closed down, and we got wind of it,” Ms Forde says.

“We had been looking for a place for quite a while, and it was very, very hard. We even looked at St George’s, which has a lot of empty buildings — but nobody wanted to rent them out.

“With Somerset Pharmacy, I knew what it looked like inside already and I knew I liked it. We had a pretty good idea what Somerset Pharmacy was all about, the layout and everything, and we were quite happy with it.”

Ms Forde said the store at Springfield was split into five rooms, adding: “Here at the Somerset Pharmacy building, we have an eye view of everything in the store.”

Mr Forde said: “The other advantage is that there is more foot traffic here because we’re right on the main road in the village. Here, people will see the sign for Bargain Hunters on the way into Somerset and on the way out.”

Ms Forde added: “The view’s not bad either.”

By month-end, Mr Forde said, customers will be able to enjoy a view of Mangrove Bay while enjoying a cup of java from the venue’s new coffee bar.

He added: “We have a very large window, and there will be seating for four people.”

Ms Forde said the move, although short at just five minutes’ drive, took seven truckloads to complete.

In addition to home decor, housewares and hardware, the store also features a small selection of groceries, plus household essentials, jewellery and handbags.

Mr Forde said the stock is at “70 to 75 per cent, and we will be fully stocked before the end of the month”.

He added: “We are adding new products, too, including The Royal Gazette — we hope to be selling that here, too.

“We are adding ‘touristy’ stuff as well.”

Ms Forde said the store’s regular clientele have received news of the reopening with enthusiasm.

“Customers were devastated when they found out we had to move, but they were excited and ecstatic that we’re still in Somerset.

“People are happy that they don’t have to go all the way to town for whatever they need.”