Fundraising, check. Renovations, check. The Francestown Village Store just awaits a new proprietor to resume the building’s 200-plus year tenure as the town’s general store.
The Francestown Improvements and Historical Society (FIHS) has owned the building since 2017, when Nevadan donor William Smith paid the building’s foreclosure costs and back taxes. The store was known as the second-oldest, continually running general store in the country when it closed on July 6, 2017.
The FIHS completed its fundraising goal of $150,000 this July, when they received a USDA Rural Development Grant for $30,000 towards an energy efficient heating and cooling system for the building.
Visitors were able to tour the 205 year- old building in January after its first round of structural improvements, and again during the town’s Labor Day festivities as the second phase of construction wrapped up. FIHS member Sarah Pyle said that the building is now up to code and construction’s complete, and the Society has scheduled a site plan review with the Planning Board for January 2020.
In March, the FIHS received a variance and special exception by the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment to allow for separate office space and a retail and office space inside the building, and to allow for merchandise to be displayed outdoors. Pyle said the FIHS is now negotiating leases with a local artist, who wishes to rent the section of the building that originally served as a fire station. A financial planner has expressed interest in renting the office space.
All that’s missing is a proprietor who will own and run the store business.
The FIHS began advertising for a proprietor in February, and continues to accept applications and business plans. Pyle said they’ve talked to “a couple dozen people” this year, and received applications from as far away as Boston, New Jersey and Maine. “For the most part, either they haven’t been ready, or we haven’t been what they’re looking for,” she said, but she said they’ve spoken to some good applicants and she’s hopeful that one will work out soon.
Those looking for more information about leasing the space can reach Pyle at s.h.pyle@comcast.net.