White Birch General Store in downtown Bennington, which opened on the site of the old Bennington Country Store in May, has already had a positive impact on the community, according to store manager April Apple.

“We had some customers tell us that they came into our store when they were house-hunting, and that they decided to move to Bennington because we are here. They said White Birch really creates a sense of community,” Apple said. “They come in all the time now.” 

After Bennington Country Store closed during COVID, Bennington was left without a store. 

Walking into the newly renovated space next door to Bennington’s G.E.P. Dodge Library, customers coming to White Birch General Store for the first time often look up to admire the enlarged black-and-white historic photos lining the walls.

“It’s a very old building, and the renovations took about 18 months. Every time we made some progress, we would find another problem and it would get delayed again,” Apple said. “The building really needed really a lot of work.”

According to Apple,  the owners, who both have family ties to Bennington,  went to the Bennington Historical Society to find old photographs of the building to display, and were careful to save the old Bennington Country Store sign, which is displayed inside over the front door. Previously, the building housed a drugstore and soda fountain and a general store, and for 30 years, also contained the town’s post office boxes.  

The new owners removed the old, pressed-tin ceiling in renovations, opening the space up to the rafters and adding a loft.

“We really wanted to honor the history of this building, of all the roles it has played in the community over the years, its part in the history of the town. People really appreciate it. They will walk in and point at the photos and say ‘I remember that,’” Apple said. 

Apple said that after several community members asked if the store would still stock live bait for fishing,  she has made a point to offer live bait at all times.

“A lot of people fish around here and they really appreciate it,” Apple said. 

Apple said the store was named for the New Hampshire state tree, and that the owners hope to establish a brand which they may expand into other businesses in the area. 

Apple is particularly proud of White Birch’s authentic Italian Cimbali coffee machine, and she and the staff can whip up any authentic Italian coffee, either hot or iced, from espresso to latte to mocha. 

“We wanted to have really good coffee,” she said. “There are not a lot of places to get a real espresso or cappuccino nearby.” 

White Birch opened May 10, offering a full-service deli, beer, wine, fresh meals to go, convenience foods, beverages and snacks. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches as well as hot and cold sandwiches, including a meatball sub, an “Italian Stallion” sub and homemade chicken salad and Mediterranean tuna salad. Dinners include homemade three-cheese lasagna, which Apple says is very popular; rigatoni and meatballs; and shepherd’s pie. The store also offers grocery staples including milk, bread and fresh produce. 

The store also offers a catering menu of wraps, sandwiches, salads and dinner. 

White Birch has an emphasis on locally made products. 

“We’re really proud of how many local products we carry, and we really seek them out. We make plaques for every local business and tell a little bit about who they are and about their product,” Apple said.

The store’s gift section includes glassware, kitchen and cocktail ware,  table linens and local honey, maple, popcorn and hot sauce. Local farms and producers include Ben’s Sugar Shack, Sarah’s Hat Boxes, Cabana Falls Winery  and Smokin’ Bones BBQ.  

White Birch is also the only local retailer of Antrim’s Flag Leaf Bakery breads.

“They are absolutely wonderful to work with, and we just love them,” Apple said.

Apple says she is always looking for feedback from the community, and the staff loves it when people come in with ideas.

“We have had a lot of requests for a vegan sandwich, so we debuted that last week,” Apple said.

The new  “Viva Las Vegan”  wrap includes red pepper hummus, avocado, cucumber, carrot, chickpeas, black and green olives, red pepper, onion, tomato and spring mix lettuce on a gluten-free wrap.

Apple said so far, business is good, and the community has been very supportive.

“So many people have stopped by just to tell us they are so happy we are here.” Apple said. “We think Bennington is a really special place.” 

White Birch General Store, which is located at 6 Main St. in Bennington, is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For information, go to whitebirchgeneral.com.