Since 1875, the Danbury Country Store has served Danbury and neighboring towns as well as the traveling public.

Opened shortly after the railroad came to Danbury, it has been a general store and gas station and offered rooms for rent in the upstairs. That was called the Central House, and the dance floor on the third floor is unchanged from when it was used for dances and local gatherings.

There have been numerous owners in the 139-year history of the building. The store sat idle after the death of owner Lillian Hastings in 1966. Myrl and June Phelps then purchased the store and, with the help of their 11 children, reopened it. They ran the store until 1978, and no one could have predicted that the Phelps family would buy it once again in 2012.

Many renovations were necessary, including a total rehabilitation of the interior to include a deli, public bathroom, new shelving, and coolers. The outside efforts involved a new foundation under the building, the addition of gas and diesel tanks and pumps, parking, and easy access to North Road and Route 4. The store reopened on May 1, 2013 and is run by Audrey (Phelps) Pellegrino but still benefits from the help of the Phelps siblings.

Now named the Danbury Country Store , its purpose has not changed from the original days of providing food and beverage and necessities to Danbury and the neighboring towns and the traveling public. One thing that has changed is that we no longer wait for the railroad to come through, but instead enjoy the travelers on the Northern Rail Trail stopping in and enjoying the store as a Rail Trail Welcome Center.

On Saturday, June 28, the Danbury Country Store will be hosting a Customer Appreciation/Locally Made Day. We feel that we are very fortunate to have such wonderful customers and 25 talented local vendors who sell items at the store. This will be a day to showcase their wares.

Please join us for samples, displays, “old tyme” food, raffles, and fun! The Danbury Country Store is located at the intersection of Routes 4 and 104 in Danbury. Check us out on Facebook or call 768-3100.

Local products and companies that will be represented include:

• Adam Hatch Carving
• Baker River Deer Farm
• Bear Roc Barbeque Sauce
• Cutting Farm Honey
• Debbie Farmer Hand Knit Animal Hats
• Debbie McDermott Diva Jewelry
• Doug’s Best Batch Salsa
• Elmwood Farm
• Forrest Powers Soy Candles
• Gordon Ordway/Bob Wasson Woodwork
• Haunting Whisper Vineyard
• The Healthy Porcupine Soaps
• Huckins Farm
• Huntoon Farm
• Judy Rice Art
• LB Woodcarving
• Ledgetop Sugar House
• Little Acre Gourmet
• Michael Francs Shaker Boxes
• Moose Country Gourmet
• Mooseman Wildlife Photography
• Nannie’s Canning Jams and Mustards
• Pattiken’s Fudge and Sugar Factory
• Salisbury Sugar House
• SugarHouse Meadery
• Swineheart’s Barbeque Sauce and Spice Mixes
• Walker Sugarhouse and Farm