SOUTH STRAFFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – Around the bend in South Strafford, Coburns’ General Store is a must-stop for locals.
“It’s the social hub of the town,” said local resident Trudi Brock.
“Nice, friendly people, ” said another customer.
It’s a classic Vermont general store. From bolts to bread and sausage to socks, it has pretty much everything anyone would need. That’s a good thing because the nearest supermarket is over 20 miles away.
For the last 47 years, it’s been run by husband and wife team Sue and Melvin Coburn. “We can manage to avoid each other a full day if we need to,” said Sue.
But the truth is the couple work side by side. It’s a long love affair with each other, and the store. The years, though, are catching up with them. “When you’re 80 years old, it gets tougher every day,” Melvin said. So, they’ve decided to retire.
Reporter Joe Carroll: Are you going to miss the store?
Sue Coburn: Oh my God, yes.
Melvin Coburn: Some days I think about it, it really makes me feel sad.
The good news is that the store will continue to operate. Brock, along with others in town started a nonprofit trust to buy the store. They’re on the home stretch, raising $1.8 million, or 80 percent needed to buy the store and make improvements. “We’re absolutely blown away by the generosity of people in town and the amount of money they’ve chipped in,” Brock said.
The store has become a tourist attraction in recent years. International music sensation Noah Kahan grew up in Stratford. His rise to fame is a source of pride in the town. He also has a sweet spot for the store and Melvin. In Kahan’s extended version of the song, “The View Between Villages,” Melvin talks about his town. “It’s a small community of people,” he says in the song, “‘that really looks out for each other. And that’s the same way with anybody that needs anything. This community is here to help out.’”
“But the Coburns’ Store has become popular because of his concerts,” Melvin said.
“In his background,” Sue added.
“The saying around here is, ‘I don’t know how I can get through the door with my head getting so big.’ But that’s not true. I’m just a regular Vermont boy from Stratford who hasn’t changed at all. But I do enjoy it,” Melvin said.
Reporter Joe Carroll: Is it going to his head?
Sue Coburn: Yes it is. He loves it, he does.
It’s a place for Noah Kahan fans to pick up his merch and music. The focus, though, is feeding the locals. “It’s quite an honor to have a store that long and everything, so it feels really good to have a store that long,” Melvin said.
The Coburns aren’t going too far — they live across the street. “The community looks out for everybody,” Sue said.
And especially for Sue and Melvin.
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