Spring 2010
Minding the Store
Teenagers keep our general stores from becoming relics
Photographs and reporting by
Daria Bishop
General stores are inextricably linked to life in Vermont, and not just in a city-dweller's imagination. These 100-plus-year-old icons are our salvation, often sparing us an hour-long roundtrip just to buy milk or eggs, and stocking everything from fishing lures to oil filters to sewing supplies.
Every day, these stores — and their future — are entrusted to teenage workers who keep them from becoming relics. Like generations before them, the teens stock shelves, make sandwiches, run the register, bus tables and mop the floors to make a little extra money to spend or save for college. Along the way, they gain that most modern of resumé-enhancers, the ability to multitask.
The following pages offer a glimpse into the lives of these young workers. The owners of the stores were unanimous in their praise of their employees' work ethic and honesty. "We have to hire kids who are totally trustworthy," says Nancy Toulis, owner of the Maple Corner Store in Calais. "They have total access to everything in the store: beer, wine, cigarettes."
And while challenges accompany the latest generation — teen workers now sometimes try to eke out time to text or check out Facebook — the affection between the teenagers and their bosses is apparent. "Kids who work here will even visit when they're not working," says Jon St. Amour, who owns the Jericho Center Country Store. "They like to hang out and sometimes I have to say, 'Get lost, we have work to do.'
"We love that," he says. "It says something about us."
Underhill Country Store est. 1868
Sophie McGurk-Walsh, 17 senior at Mount Mansfield Union High School
Hours per week: 8
Saving for: College
Favorite part of the job: "The people. Getting to see everyone in the community. I recognize many people that I've known since I was little. It's very social."
Least favorite: "I hate closing up by myself, but there is always someone that stays with me. My parents don't worry about me, but they don't like me driving at night. Underhill is a pretty safe town."
Outside interests: "I bring my camera everywhere and take shots of anything interesting," she says. McGurk-Walsh is also on the varsity tennis team, dances hip-hop, snowboards and loves music.
Future plans: Wants to study visual communications and marketing. "This job definitely helps with communication. I have to strike up conversations with people I've never met before. I would like to go to school out of state and come back to Vermont at some point. I love Vermont!"
Jericho Center Country Store est. 1807
Darren Kennedy, 18 senior at Mount Mansfield Union High School
Hours per week: 20
Saving for: College and money for his truck
Favorite part of the job: "I like seeing people from school. Everyone comes in on their way home. And I like meeting new people."
Least favorite: Bottle returns. "People don't clean the bottles. Once someone dropped off about 1,000 bottles, and it took four hours to sort them. Now the limit is 200."
Outside interests: Kennedy volunteers for the Bolton Fire Department, is a Boy Scout and is a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do. His other job is maintaining a cemetery in Richmond.
Future plans: Kennedy hopes to attend college to major in conservation law enforcement and eventually become a game warden in Vermont. "I like the outdoors, the community and small towns."
Maple Corner Store est. 1900
Isaac Gallagher, 17
senior at U-32 High School
Hours per week: 5 to 15
Saving for: Last year, a trip to Europe. Now, "nothing special."
Favorite part of the job: Getting to cook and talking to customers. Gallagher has also learned how to sweep, mop and make good food. "I'm going to make awesome sandwiches my whole life because of this job," he says with a smile. After being interrupted by a phone order, he says, "She ordered like a pro. I love people who know how to order a sandwich. "
Least favorite: Keeping track of store accounts. "People will just hold up an item as they walk out of the store, and I don't always know everyone's name." Also, "I never say, 'Yay, I get to mop!'"
Outside interests: Acting. He's been in every school play, and he takes acting classes as well.
Future plans:Hopes to attend the University of Vermont and go into education. "I'm big on teachers and teaching.
"I don't expect to stay in Vermont my whole life, but if I wanted to settle down and raise a family, I'd definitely live in Vermont. I feel super lucky to have been raised here in this amazing community. I want to give my kids this same opportunity. I'm not a big fan of urban living."
Barnard General Store est. 1832
Neil Heidelmeier, 17 junior at Woodstock Union High School
Hours per week: about 12
Saving for: Car payments, repairs and insurance. "I'm also saving for a hunting trip that I'm going on next October with my older brother."
Favorite part of the job: The people. "Everyone knows each other, and I work with great people. I like working in the deli because I like talking to the customers."
Least favorite: The recycling and the trash. "A couple of times this summer we had a bear, and I had to clean up after him."
Outside interests: Plays basketball and golf for school, ice fishes or hunts deer and turkey in his free time. "I'm pretty much doing something outdoors year-round."
Future plans: College and possibly becoming a policeman or a game warden — "some career that deals with people. This job has made me realize I like people.
"I'm not sure I'll stay in Vermont. All of my family is here, but I might move to a state with a warmer climate. I like the warmth."
Pittsfield's Original General Store est. 1840
Emily Nicole Chism, 18 senior at the Vermont Adult Learning Center (Rochester High School)
Hours per week: 35 to 40
Saving for: "It's hard to save. I just bought a car. I'm saving to maybe go to school and save for the future."
Favorite part of the job: The fast pace and the atmosphere. She works with her best friend, mother, father and other friends. "I didn't see my dad much before, but I get to work with him now. If I wasn't working with these people, I wouldn't be inspired to come in every day."
Least favorite: Stocking the produce cooler and unhappy customers. "You can't seem to do anything to make their visit here better."
Outside interests: Lots of reading and painting, and she's learning how to carve stone. She lives with her boyfriend in Rochester.
Future plans: To get a diploma and go to college. "If I moved away, I'd come back."
