The Morgan Country Store
ABOUT US
The Morgan Store originated as a means of providing supplies for the early settlers of the region. Settlers moved to Morgan from the Connecticut area in the early 1800’s. The first settler was Nathan Wilcox who moved with his family in 1802 and were the only people in the Morgan area for three years until the second settler, Christopher Bartlett arrived in 1805.
Roads were trails that had been established by native Indian tribes moving from the Connecticut River vicinity of Guildhall, VT to Canada. As more families arrived there was a need for providing items beyond those that could be grown during the normal growing season for vegetables, domestic animals and wild game.
Roads were trails that had been established by native Indian tribes moving from the Connecticut River vicinity of Guildhall, VT to Canada. As more families arrived there was a need for providing items beyond those that could be grown during the normal growing season for vegetables, domestic animals and wild game.
Now it's Libby and Juile and we are so excited to be part of the history of this AWESOME store! We have one of the most beautiful views in VT overlooking Seymour Lake. After it rains look out. Doesn't get much better than this. Call and come down be part of our family.
Some pretty cool history to this Ol Country Store. Check out more below. Can't wait to meet you. Like our FB below and check out our specials for the day.
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Lewis Brothers Store about 1912 Bert and Leon Lewis bought the store in 1912 and operated it until 1946. One brother is leaning on the right post and the other is next to him behind the horse. The Island Pond stage, to the right of the store, hauled freight, passengers and the US Mail.
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Christopher Bartlett became the first operator of what was loosely called a store that provided everything needed for the growing community. By the late 1800’s a physical building was built by John Bartlett and owned by B.F. Moore. This store provided dry goods; clothing, school supplies, books, groceries, patent medicines, and other needed supplies. B.F. Moore operated a small clothing factory on the second floor of the building where three women, sewing on treadle machines, produced overalls. Mr. Moore later moved the overall business to Newport where it eventually developed into a large line of clothing marketed under the brand name of “Slalom”.
The order of ownership of the store following the Bartlett’s and B. F. Moore was Chester Moore until 1912; Bert and Leon Lewis to 1946; Ken Jenness to 1949: William Hatton purchased the store from Ken Jenness but it was operated by Dale Bartlett until the store burned in 1950. The Hatton’s built a new store on the same location and Shirley Lewis operated it until Earl and Della Gray purchased it in 1963 and operated it until 1975. Carlton and Patricia Thompson bought the store in 1975 and ran it for only one year when Wallace McDonald bought it in 1976 and leased it to Al and Trudy Bartlow in 1977 and then sold it to them in 1979.
The Bartlow’s operated the store until 1982 when they sold it to Ernest and Joyce Grenman. The Grenmans sold to Paul and Betty Cookinham in 1986. In 1987 the Cookinhams sold to Pete and Charlene Bronson who ran the store until 1996 when it was purchased by Penny Thomas. During her ownership the gas storage tanks and gas pumps, with fire protection devices, were installed. Penny ran the store until 2002 when she sold to Denis and Carla Fortin. The Fortin’s made substantial improvements in the store almost doubling the floor space to include more shelf display/sales area, a nine door beer, soda and dairy display/sales case and large walk in cooler. A shelved wine nook was included where many, wines are displayed.
The order of ownership of the store following the Bartlett’s and B. F. Moore was Chester Moore until 1912; Bert and Leon Lewis to 1946; Ken Jenness to 1949: William Hatton purchased the store from Ken Jenness but it was operated by Dale Bartlett until the store burned in 1950. The Hatton’s built a new store on the same location and Shirley Lewis operated it until Earl and Della Gray purchased it in 1963 and operated it until 1975. Carlton and Patricia Thompson bought the store in 1975 and ran it for only one year when Wallace McDonald bought it in 1976 and leased it to Al and Trudy Bartlow in 1977 and then sold it to them in 1979.
The Bartlow’s operated the store until 1982 when they sold it to Ernest and Joyce Grenman. The Grenmans sold to Paul and Betty Cookinham in 1986. In 1987 the Cookinhams sold to Pete and Charlene Bronson who ran the store until 1996 when it was purchased by Penny Thomas. During her ownership the gas storage tanks and gas pumps, with fire protection devices, were installed. Penny ran the store until 2002 when she sold to Denis and Carla Fortin. The Fortin’s made substantial improvements in the store almost doubling the floor space to include more shelf display/sales area, a nine door beer, soda and dairy display/sales case and large walk in cooler. A shelved wine nook was included where many, wines are displayed.
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The store built in the late 1800’s and operated by the Lewis Brothers until 1946, burned and was rebuilt by William Hatton in 1950. |
Bonnie and Jim McWain purchased the store in 2005 and Jim’s daughter Robin operated it until 2014 when she moved back to Colorado.
October 2014. The US Postal Service has been associated with the store since the late 1800’s when the Island Pond stage, a regular horse and wagon passenger and freight service, brought the mail daily from Island Pond. Subsequently, a Post Office was part of the store and currently the US Postal Service leases space from the store owners for the Morgan Post Office.
October 2014. The US Postal Service has been associated with the store since the late 1800’s when the Island Pond stage, a regular horse and wagon passenger and freight service, brought the mail daily from Island Pond. Subsequently, a Post Office was part of the store and currently the US Postal Service leases space from the store owners for the Morgan Post Office.
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The store today has been expanded to the left, with the original 1950 structure the sales, deli seating and grocery area of the store and the US Post Office. |
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Location PO Box 97, 8411 VT Rte 111, Morgan, VT 05853
Phone: 802-895-2726; 802-895-4247 E-Mail: mcs@morgancountrystore.com |
STORE HOURSOpen Monday-Saturday 7am – 7pm,
Sunday-8am-6pm |