January 19, 2026

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Dear Friends of Strafford General Store and the Strafford Community Trust,

 

We are pleased to share this progress report as we kick off 2026.

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In 2025, the Strafford community came together to save our general store. We feel extremely fortunate to have sold the business to Adam Smith and we celebrate the community that accomplished this transition. The Board of the Strafford Community Trust (SCT) continues to own and improve the building and plan for the future. 

 

We now have 501c3 status for the Strafford Community Trust. All monies held by a fiscal agent have been moved to our own account. We are appreciative of the temporary stewardship offered by Preservation Trust of Vermont, as well as their continual guidance and expertise. We have been investigating historic preservation status for the building and working on changing the ownership of the gas tanks.

 

With the additional funds raised during our campaign, as well as recent grant awards of $70,000, we have begun the work of updating systems and replacing aging appliances. We have established a list of priorities and have been gathering estimates and scheduling work. Phase 1 involves essential and urgent upgrades for code compliance and building preservation with work occurring in 2026. Phase 2 involves a larger scope of renovations that address deferred maintenance, significant capital upgrades, and a durable wastewater solution for the longer-term needs of the store and laundromat.

 

Here is an update on plans:

• A fire sprinkler system is scheduled to be installed in February. 

• Stainless steel liners will be installed in the water cisterns

• New roof is scheduled for next spring (this work will be aided by a grant from Mascoma Bank Foundation and the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation)

• Structural support in the basement is a high priority and will be addressed as soon as we can clean out the basement

• The dairy and beverage coolers are aging out and we are working on replacements 

• We are working closely with Adam on the transfer of the gas tanks and a new provider and hope to get them back in production as soon as possible

 

And here are some updates from Adam:

• The store can once again accept SNAP EBTs! 

• Sales are strong. Thanks to the community for continuing to support our general store!

• There has been good feedback about some of the new products. We’ll be seeing new coolers in the next few months that will provide space for even more. 

 

This is only the beginning of a large amount of restoration work which we intend to address over the coming years with as little disruption to the business as possible. 

 

We are grateful for Adam’s extraordinary hard work in smoothly transitioning the business, for the long-serving employees continued commitment, and for your patronage which helps to keep it a viable business for the community.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Board of the Strafford Community Trust

Annie Penfield, B.J. Miller, Bob Cowden, Pat Kelly, Margaret Curtis, Marisa Donovan, Rebecca Seibel, Rosi Kerr, Tracey McFadden, Trudi Brock, and Vanessa Rule