DOVER-FOXCROFT – A spokesman from Shaw’s confirmed Friday that the company plans to open a supermarket and drugstore in the Dover-Foxcroft Shopping Plaza next year.

Terry Donilon of the company’s public affairs office said Shaw’s has signed a lease for space in the shopping plaza. “We will be meeting with the town to go over the approval process shortly,” Donilon said Friday. “We anticipate opening early next year if everything goes smoothly and according to plan.”

While Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager Jack Clukey said he was aware that discussions have been held between Shaw’s and the owner of the shopping plaza, he has not been told officially that a lease had been signed.

“I think it’s an opportunity to bring people into the area from a wider region for shopping in Dover-Foxcroft, and I hope that it simply doesn’t represent more competition for the local grocery stores,” Clukey said Friday.

Robert Bahre, owner of the shopping plaza, said Shaw’s planned to open in the space long vacated by Ames Department Store. The plaza will be renamed Shaw’s Plaza, he said.

Bahre said the company plans both a grocery store and a drugstore in the 43,700-square-foot building. The company also will have use of space and storage space on the second floor.

“I think it will be good for the community, it will give them more of a choice,” Bahre said Friday.

Bahre said he is conducting talks with other businesses interested in leasing the remaining vacant building in the shopping center that was vacated by Sav-A-Lot and he expects that to be filled soon.