BARNARD, Vt. -
A fixture in the town Barnard, Vermont shutdown in May but because a remarkable effort by the community to bring back the general store the doors may swing open again.
The writing was on the wall in early 2012 that the Barnard General Store was going to close but that didn't stop the Barnard Community Trust from altering the store's future.
"This is the gathering place for about everybody in town," President of the Barnard Community Trust Rick Carbin says.
The store has held that title since 1832. So when the doors closed last may Carbin and Secretary of the Barnard Community Trust Tom Platner set out to buy the property from the owner. They had tried to do just that three years ago.
"But he was asking too high a price," Carbin said.
In June though the owner agreed to sell it for $500,000 in several installments.
"When we made that offer we had $7,500," Carbin said.
Enter center stage the people of Barnard.
"We had to immediately raise the rest for the $20,000 option,"Carbin said.
"We did that in a day."
As of Sunday they raised almost $475,000 and a lot easier than they had thought it would be.
"I didn't have to beg for money let's put it that way. I just had to show up," Platner said.
And sometimes the money showed up for them. A bulk of the donations were mailed in while almost $50,000 were raised by serving coffee at the store donated by the Vermont Coffee Company and Harrington Brothers. They've received help from The Preservation Trust of Vermont as well as advice from local business owners. But the bulk came one step at a time.
"The way the community has come together and the amount of money we raised in a short period from individuals, no major foundation or government grants, has been pretty astounding," Carbin said.
The store still opened part time to maintain it's gathering place status and keep the fundraising momentum alive. But hopefully by April 1st the stove will be cooking breakfast for customers and the deli will be open for lunchtime visitors.
"Less than a year from the closure of the store to reopening. That's pretty incredible," Carbin said.
"Yeah and it's time to get this place opened," Platner added.
This time they hope to keep it that way.
To donate to the Barnard Community Trust and help restore the store go to http://friendsofbgs.com/
