In Bradford, Vt., a Mainstay on Main Street Calls It Quits
Bradford, Vt. — Hill’s 5 & 10 has been a Bradford institution since its founding in 1959. Around Labor Day weekend, however, the fabled five-and-dime store will shut its doors for the final time. Increased competition from chain stores, together with the economic troubles brought on by the Great Recession, prompted the decision to close, said Hill’s co-owner Mary Wendell. “When I saw the dollar store going up in Fairlee I just...
Viva Revolution
Several of the independent designers who sell their creations at Revolution, the North Main Street retail shop owned and managed by Kim Souza, or who participated in last month’s fashion show at the Main Street Museum, said they face many of the same challenges as any other business, including planning, time management and marketing. “Reflecting often on your business and goals is really important,” said Eve Winslow, of Woodstock, who...
Dressing Up Downtown
Kim Souza opened the doors of Revolution in June 2002, at a time when the clothing store’s neighbors included a strip club called The Wrap and an accompanying adult novelty store. Occasionally, workers from the club would try to consign some of their costumes at Revolution, but they wanted more money than Souza was willing to pay. “That’s a little bit of a change right there,” said Souza, owner and manager of the shop, as she folded...
