The Francestown Village Store opened its doors during a bitterly cold day in January so residents could check in the construction taking place. If all goes according to plan, the store should be open this summer. 
The Francestown Village Store opened its doors during a bitterly cold day in January so residents could check in the construction taking place. If all goes according to plan, the store should be open this summer.  Credit: Staff photo by Nicholas Handy

The Francestown Improvement and Historical Society was recently granted a variance and special exception by the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment to allow for separate office space and a retail/office space inside the Francestown Village Store building and to allow for merchandise to be displayed outdoors.

The FIHS continues to search for a proprietor to run the store.

Fundraising and construction efforts have progressed to a point at which the store could open up this summer if the right person or persons is found to run the business, FIHS member Sarah Pyle said Thursday.

“We’re so excited, and consciously optimistic,” Pyle said. “A lot of pieces still have to come into place. But this has been such a great, whole community effort.”

The Francestown Village Store operated for more than 200 years in town before closing its doors on July 6, 2017. It was the second-oldest continually running general store in the United States.

FIHS has owned the building since the summer of 2017 when William Smith of Nevada donated $125,000 to pay the foreclosure costs and back taxes.

“There’s a real need for a community space for people to meet and have coffee,” Pyle said. “I don’t think it has to be a massive supermarket. There’s a big interest in local produce, meals ready to eat, breakfast and lunch, that kind of stuff.”

The approval from the zoning board will allow for flexibility for the new proprietor, Pyle said. 

“If whoever is running the store wants to sell flowers or vegetables outdoors, they will have formal permission,” Pyle said.

Pyle said FIHS will also go in front of the Planning Board at some point in the coming months for a site plan review.

All three spaces will be rented out at an affordable rate, Pyle said, as FIHS has no plans to make significant money off the venture.

“We just need to keep the taxes paid and the paint on the building,” Pyle said.

FIHS has fundraised around $120,000 so far for construction and other related costs and only needs to raise about $30,000 more to reach its $150,000 goal.

Pyle said those interested in running the store can send an email to s.h.pyle@comcast.net or call 620-6333.