The Guilford Country Store is planning a June opening !
The new proprietors, Marc and Suzanne Tessitore of West Brattleboro, are working along side of the building’s owners, Friends Of Algiers Village Inc. (FOAVI), and construction workers to complete the renovations to the store. Customers will be happily surprised and delighted by what has been accomplished. The store now boasts new floors; new ceilings; new counters and shelves (made of beautiful local wood donated by Allard Lumber and Kerber’s Sawmills) ; new lighting,; a new high efficiency cooler and freezer; a cafe area with tables and chairs; new sunny paint; rebuilt historic windows that let the sunshine in ; a public bulletin area; a public ADA approved rest room; a new building entrance area ; a full commercial kitchen; the list goes on and on ! The 1817 Broad Brook House ,which includes the store area, has been placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places. Included but not seen by the public is a new high efficiency heating system, fire sprinkler and alarm systems; increased insulation; basement support columns; public water from the new water main from Brattleboro; hidden ceiling supports- the list seems endless ! The store will be open a minimum of 12 hours each day, seven days a week.

As of early May the vast majority of this work had been completed and the kitchen installation and its high efficiency exhaust system were in their final stages of construction. A handicapped accessible entrance ramp to the building has been installed. A vehicle ramp is planned at the north end of the parking area to permit safer entrance and exit to the building and to the Town’s Recycle bins.

Throughout all this work great attention has been made to adhere to the high standards of historic preservation. The Preservation Trust of Vermont and the State’s Division of Historic Preservation (and other agencies) have worked hand in hand with the FOAVI at every step- from design and financing to overseeing the work. The FOAVI has received both numerous grants and financial donations from dozens of individuals and firms. It should be noted, however, that additional donations are still needed to help finance the work’s final completion. FOAVI is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization so all donations are tax deductible. Donations may be made electronically through this web site or by checks sent to the FOAVI, 475 Coolidge Highway, Guilford, VT 05301. Information is available by calling Eric Morse, FOAVI President, at 254-8477 or Anne Rider, Store Project Chairman, at 254-5300. Vendors may contact the proprietors, Marc and Suzanne Tessitore, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .