[brattpowered]

For the second time in 18 months, the Putney General Store was destroyed by fire. This time, the building was burned to the ground. There is nothing left. What a terrible loss for the community.

I had been going there since I can remember. I'll never forget being a kid and exploring the toy section and all the nooks and crannies and staircases. I'll miss the Ben and Jerry's factory seconds and the old screen doors. If anyone else wants to share their memories, this is the place to do it.


YouTube - Putney General Store Fire 11/1/09

[GypsySoul22]

Wow..what happened?

[arel]

This is so sad. I am relatively new to the area, and have never been inside the store, but I can't help feeling a personal sense of loss. That store, even boarded up after the last fire, was a major landmark. I passed it every time I went into Putney. I will pass it tomorrow, assuming the street is not blocked off.

The store was being restored.

I can't believe it had a second fire in 18 months. I wonder what happened.

From the video, it looks like the adjacent building was seriously damaged.

The building meant a lot to the people of Putney. This is a sad day for the town.

I wonder what they are going to do with the site. Maybe they will rebuild.

[arel]

Well, I guess the changes I made in my last post didn't go through. So I'll put the additions here.

According to the Brattleboro Reformer, the store had been purchased by the Putney Historical Society. Renovations were almost finished. The store was set to re-open soon.

Adjacent buildings were also damaged. I think one small building was destroyed.

Thankfully, there are no reported injuries. Physical injuries, that is. I'm sure a lot of people have been emotionally injured.

According to the Brattleboro Reformer, the fire is now seen as suspicious.

[arctichomesteader]

It sounds like arson to me. No power, building boarded/locked up...quite a shame to see that happen.

[mustmove]

Interesting. Wonder whose money was doing the restoring. Bet someone burned it to get out from under the mortgage and got 'rescued' by state money via a historical society then needed to finish the job. What would the term of art be in VT? 'Hillbilly Lightning' 'Green mountain boy lightning'
Replace it with a quickie mart gas station.

[tdna]

I read that 6 people lost their homes and all their belongings when their apartments in the building next door were destroyed. Thankfully, no one was injured, but keep them in your thoughts and, if you are so inclined, your prayers.

[Sherylcatmom]

A good friend near Putney is mourning the lost PGS. She said it was a heart of the community, a place where she could count on seeing people she cared about. I think it's a big loss to Putney and surrounding towns.

I get some idea when I imagine something happening to the Rutland Co-op -- I think nothing could replace it as a community hub.

[arel]

I passed the store twice tonight. The scene is horrible. The small house next door is gutted and the second building over is damaged. At about 6 pm, there were lots of people and official vehicles there. At about 9:15 pm, there was just a sheriff's car, which, as I looked quickly, appeared empty.

Very depressing.

I hope something positive comes out of this tragedy.

I have no childhood memories of the store and I have never been inside it. But I still feel a sense of loss.

[MRVphotog]

The saddest part is that the PHS was using grant money in part to rebuild it and now since it burnt to the ground there is nothing historical left. The original fire left several walls and other lower stucture intact so they could rebuild from there but not now. It was insured but now the PHS is between a rock and a hard place since the second rebuild would have no historical basis.

I lived in Putney for 6 years in the late 60's/early 70's. Friends worked there. When I heard the news Sunday night it was like getting a kick in the stomach.

I think someone will rebuild from scratch. Heck, they were rebuilding a convenience store about 5 years ago here in the MRV valley from a fire, it burned again and they rebuilt it again.

Putney still has alot of unique things about it and one is definately Curtis BBQ. He was just starting out when I lived there. Working from one of those BBQ pits made from old 55 gallon drums. He came to keggers selling his awesome food. It's amazing that he has been in Putney for 40 years, now he is right off the I91 exit and even has a location up in Chester.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/curtis-bar-b-q-putney