SARANAC LAKE -The new investment total for the planned community department store in Saranac Lake is up to $311,500 after an event held Wednesday.

"We had a really nice turnout of current and potential investors," Community Store President Melinda Little said. "Good food, good music and a silent auction were enthusiastically received by everyone."

The event was held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mt. Pisgah Lodge and featured music by pianist Karen Baker and a silent auction of goods and services from local residents, such as art by Mark Kurtz and Tim Fortune.

The Community Store is working toward a goal of $500,000, an amount it must reach before it can open. According to its Web site, www.community-store.org, the store is planned as part of the Depot Street development, which is yet to begin.

Contact Emily Hunkler at 891-2600 ext. 24 or ehunkler@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.