Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT The Round Hill Store!
Three questions with Robin Vanacore, owner of The Round Hill Store.
Why did you start your business?
Actually, I did not start our business but am the fourth generation to own and operate it. Why did we agree to continue the family business? After all, it is a huge responsibility. To carry on the business in our small community in the backcountry of Greenwich requires many hats and lots of help from the neighbors. It is also an inherited family tradition that would be difficult to abandon. Having grown up in the neighborhood, the store has been a dependable fixture. Having worked in the store since the age of twelve I know many of the families that live here and have often been asked to "keep it the way it is" or "we don't want a supermarket on the corner" which means the community wants to maintain the tradition and history of our business as much as we do. So my husband John and I agreed to continue and expand the business when another family member no longer wanted the obligation.
I wish I could afford to give our historic building a makeover. Since our store was built in 1801, it requires tender loving care, in other words, it is always in need of repair. Not that I would change the treasured nature of the building, but upgrade and renovate the structure and utilities, replace the deteriorating floor and bring it back to its original splendor. I would also like to offer take-home meals for our working families. This too would require major renovations.
What is your best selling product/service?
As the only retail business for several miles, we try to offer as many items as we can including deli service, groceries and other important provisions. We are considered a community store as we do our very best to serve the public. We are part of the Round Hill Association Recharging Center which is not only for electronic devices but for recharging the health and wellbeing of our residents during power outages. Our store provides light food and beverages during these difficult events. We are a hub of activity in the neighborhood, many residents look to us for community information and updates in addition to a sandwich or toothbrush, milk, detergent, cereal...
The Round Hill Store is located at 369 Round Hill Road in Greenwich. Visit them online here.
The Round Hill Store tags Fairfield House and Garden and Rebecca's Restaurant!