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Online Membership Application

Mission Statement

The mission of the Vermont Alliance of Independent Country Stores is to promote and enhance country stores, while preserving their unique heritage and contributions to their communities. View Membership Options
Store Name
Owner(s) Name
Mailing Address
Telephone
Fax
Email
Year store established
Please check the appropriate dues category:
If you chose Supporting Member, please enter donation amount:
New member retailers will be billed upon approval of the Alliance membership committee. Associate and supporting members should "mail a check"...?
Comments
*Applications for retail voting membership in the Alliance must be approved by the membership committee to ensure criteria are met on the reverse side of this application. Membership in the Vermont Grocers' Association is also required for retail voting or associate members of the Alliance.
 

Membership Options

Voting Membership shall be open to any person who owns and operates a Vermont
country or general store; that agrees to meet the operating standards adopted by the Alliance; and who subscribes to the mission of the Alliance. It is not open to anyone operating more than three stores. Annual fee is $50.

Associate Membership shall be open to anyone engaged in supplying materials or
services to the Voting Members of this Alliance. Annual fee is $100.

Supporting Membership shall be open to any person, group, organization or business,
which supports the Mission of the Alliance.


Membership Criteria
Product Mix:
* Serve local demand and meet local community needs
* Carry perishables, shelf staples and newspapers

Ownership
• Be majority owned by local resident (s) and have independent decisionmaking
authority over how business is operated

Year-round Operation
• Open year round to meet local needs

Location
• Rural area or in a village

Historic Business
• Site or structure has historical significance as a country store

Quality Standards
• Meets standards for service and appearance

Community Standards
* Active participation in, and contribution to, the well being of the community

Putney celebrates the return of its general store

Putney General StoreFrom Rutland Herald

“It’s just beautiful,” Cohen said as he looked around. “It’s way better than it was back then. Can I say that?’’


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