What is VAICS?

The Vermont Alliance of Independent Country Stores is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance country stores, while preserving their unique heritage and contributions to their communities.

This site can help you plan your trip through Vermont, as you stop at our Independent Country Stores for food and fuel and souvenirs and conversation and new friendships. Our individual store pages tell you what products and services you can find, offer pictures of the stores along with local history background, and give links to local sites and other information.


Vermont general store in Barnard closing

From Burlington Free Press

BARNARD — The Barnard General Store in central Vermont is closing its doors on Tuesday after 180 years in business.

Owners Carolyn DiCicco and Kim Furlong say years of financial losses and 60-hour weeks have taken their toll.