Vermont community rallies to save 130-year-old country store that was hub for residents

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In this Dec. 18, 2015 photo, Kyle Clark of Underhill, Vt., sits at a table at the Underhill Country Store and discusses plans to save the store from closing. The 130-year-old store, a community hub, was at risk of closing after the owners decided to retire but had trouble selling it. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)

UNDERHILL CENTER, Vt. – The 130-year-old Underhill Country Store isn’t just a place to pick up staples. It’s a hub in this picturesque mountain valley community where residents can grab a cup of coffee or lunch from the deli, sit down and chat with their neighbours.

So when word spread their beloved store would close, people here knew they had something to lose.

Owners Peter and Nancy Davis decided a year ago that they would retire. They put the store on the market but had no buyers so planned to close by Dec. 6.

The community rallied, raising just over $39,000 in four days to save the store. They plan to turn it into a co-operatively owned business with members buying shares and for now will rent the property from the owners.

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