The Sterling Market was one of the main places where people in Johnson went to buy groceries, but since the historic floods of 2023, it’s been closed.That makes it that much harder for people in Johnson to go grocery shopping.However, one Johnson local who’s lived there for more than 20 years is looking to change that by creating the Johnson General Store.”The absence of Sterling Market, we really need to fill that niche in town. We’ve had a lot of support from the town, there’s been a lot of vocalization about what the town needs, and we’re trying to listen to a lot of feedback, but it’s big shoes to fill with the Sterling Market not being there,” said Mike Mignone, one of the owners of Johnson General Store. The store will be located on the corner of Lower Main and Stearns streets, across from the Maplefields gas station. It is set to include groceries and a deli that will start with pre-made foods but Mignone has his eyes set on bigger things over time. “We’re going to have groceries, there will be a large take-and-bake section, and a grab-and-go deli with food to order in the future, and we’re looking at some other convenience store items,” he said.Mignone has been hard at work for months on the renovation process, but also said people from all walks of life in the area have helped him along the way, which shows the close bonds in this town once devastated by the Lamoille River. “The town administration and the people of the town have helped. It wouldn’t have been possible without all their support and help. People pretty much come here after work whether it’s just help for an hour, or on a whole day off, it’s been really helping make the wheels turn here,” he said. He hopes to have the store open in the next couple of months, and once running, the goal is to have it open seven days a week.At one point, a Shaws grocery store was potentially going to move into the old Sterling Market building, but earlier this month at a selectboard meeting, they announced those plans fell through.
The Sterling Market was one of the main places where people in Johnson went to buy groceries, but since the historic floods of 2023, it’s been closed.
That makes it that much harder for people in Johnson to go grocery shopping.
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However, one Johnson local who’s lived there for more than 20 years is looking to change that by creating the Johnson General Store.
“The absence of Sterling Market, we really need to fill that niche in town. We’ve had a lot of support from the town, there’s been a lot of vocalization about what the town needs, and we’re trying to listen to a lot of feedback, but it’s big shoes to fill with the Sterling Market not being there,” said Mike Mignone, one of the owners of Johnson General Store.
The store will be located on the corner of Lower Main and Stearns streets, across from the Maplefields gas station. It is set to include groceries and a deli that will start with pre-made foods but Mignone has his eyes set on bigger things over time.
“We’re going to have groceries, there will be a large take-and-bake section, and a grab-and-go deli with food to order in the future, and we’re looking at some other convenience store items,” he said.
Mignone has been hard at work for months on the renovation process, but also said people from all walks of life in the area have helped him along the way, which shows the close bonds in this town once devastated by the Lamoille River.
“The town administration and the people of the town have helped. It wouldn’t have been possible without all their support and help. People pretty much come here after work whether it’s just help for an hour, or on a whole day off, it’s been really helping make the wheels turn here,” he said.
He hopes to have the store open in the next couple of months, and once running, the goal is to have it open seven days a week.
At one point, a Shaws grocery store was potentially going to move into the old Sterling Market building, but earlier this month at a selectboard meeting, they announced those plans fell through.
