DANVILLE, Vt. (WCAX) – A popular grocery store in the Northeast Kingdom is looking to expand.
“Right now I travel into St. Johnsbury to go grocery shopping. It isn’t that much further but I would rather spend my money locally,” said Jackie Folsom from Cabot.
Jackie Folsom and her husband have been shopping at Marty’s 1st Stop for several years. She says the two of them go there at least twice a week and welcomes the idea of a bigger store.
“When they expand I will be looking forward to all the great new things. Lindsey the owner has added a lot of new things recently and it’s all very exciting. I wish them well, and we will be shopping here in the future,” said Folsom.
Co-owner Lyndsay Beattie says the plan is to add 0,000 square feet to the back of the store, an updated cash wrap, and more groceries. She says there has been an uptick in visitors and shoppers, and they want to accommodate their community.
“So we can offer some more local products, make the shopping experience more efficient. We are pretty much busting at the seems here. Especially during the summer months. We have a lot of visiting customers that come from Sugar Rich Campground, Joe’s Pond, and customers that use the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail,” said Beattie.
It’s estimated to be well over a million-dollar project, and town officials say they aren’t opposed to the idea of an add-on.
“Marty’s is just a great source for the community. The planning commission as very happy to support it as individuals. It doesn’t actually go through them. It will be a little bit bigger. But it will make it a lot more efficient for them. If that helps them stay in business the way they have been running, then we are all for it,” said Planning Commission Chair Glenn Herrin.
Officials are hoping to start construction in the Spring of 2025.