G Store FAQs
Stuart Strothman on Feb 7th 2010
What’s the status of the arson investigation?
The case is still active, though there’s been no specific update from the Fire Marshall, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, or the State’s Attorney (who is prosecuting the case)…but that’s not surprising. The investigators are working quietly, behind the scenes, and they can’t share information without jeopardizing the case. The ATF is currently the primary investigatory force. A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for setting the fire (Call 1-800-32-ARSON & reference case #09-D202950).
How does the Historical Society figure into all of this?
After the first fire, Erhan and Tugce Oge, the previous owners, were very generous in selling the property to the Putney Historical Society for $20,000 less than others offered them, because they felt so strongly that the historic property be rebuilt and maintained as a general store. The Historical Society – with the help of a local task force of people bringing a wide range of expertise to the effort- has put together the funds for the purchase and rebuilding of the store through grants, private donations and events. Special thanks are due to Paul Bruhn of the Preservation Trust of Vermont who has championed this cause and lent a tremendous amount of expertise and moral support, as well as generous funding. Once the building is complete, the Historical Society will lease the space to a new storekeeper, who will equip the space. The storekeeper will pay rent to the Historical Society, thereby allowing us to pay down our remaining debt and maintain the building. The Historical Society will continue to own the property and will manage it with the assistance of an advisory group similar to the task force with expertise in commercial real estate. As a non-profit, the Historical Society qualifies for grants and government funds that a private owner wouldn’t. The goal is to keep the store lease affordable for the long term so that Putney can be assured of having a sustainable general store business.
Will the property be tax-exempt?
No, the building will NOT be removed from the property tax roll – the Historical Society will pay property taxes as though the property was owned by a private owner.
What funding did we lose as a result of the fire?
The only funding we lost were historic structure tax credits from the state and federal government. In an impressive show of support from private, public and government sources, not one other dollar has been lost. And the insurance company paid out the full amount for the policy held on the structure.
How much money needs to be raised?
While we are still finalizing the design, the rough total project cost will be about $850,000. We
estimate that we have almost $750,000 in grants and donations and that another $100,000 needs to
be raised from local fundraising and events. Since 2008, we have received nearly $180,000 from local giving – over $75,000 of that in the three months since the second fire. (continued on other side)
When will construction begin?
If all goes as planned, raising of the timber-frame (all of which, goods and services, will be donated from local resources) could happen by summer.
When will the store re-open?
Once again, it’s hard to know, but the Task Force is setting an ambitious goal of late fall 2010. Many variables can change that – such as the need to find an operator – but that’s the goal.
Will the new store look just like the old store?
The Design Committee of the Task Force is finalizing the design and is working with the architectural firm that drew up the plans for the first re-building effort. The design will be based on the original building and takes the historical aesthetic of the village into account. In other words, it should be familiar and will fit into the town.
Who will operate the new store?
The Historical Society will not run the store; it will lease the building to an experienced store operator – who is yet to be determined. The Lisai family does not plan to operate the store, as we hoped after the first fire. But inquiries are being made both locally and further afield to contact an experienced general store operator to set up in the new space. A formal request for operator proposals will be distributed fairly soon and may impact the project’s timeline.
How will the Historical Society work to prevent another fire?
Just as with the old building, the new structure will be insured to the fullest extent. A sprinkler system will be installed in the building as early in the construction phase as possible. In addition, extra security measures will be taken to ensure that the site is protected from damage.
How can I get the most up-to-date news about the project?
Watch for updates in the local papers. Checking the website is another good way to stay informed (www.putneygeneralstore.org ). It’s worth checking iPutney (www.iputney.com) or Facebook (Save the Putney General Store!). You can also ask questions at info@putneyhistory.org. If you don’t use the internet, you can leave a message at 387-5862 ext 10, and someone from the PHS will get back to you.
How can I help?
All donations, big and small, make a difference; you can mail a check to the Historical Society at PO Box 233 or make a donation on-line at www.putneygeneralstore.org. All donations are tax-deductible. If you would like to volunteer, you can contact Maria Ogden at maria.ogden@gmail.com or 387-2861. You can also encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to make donations, volunteer, spread the word, and keep current on the status of the project.
Re-Store the Heart of Putney!
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