Bradford store stays open amid interest from potential buyers

Marilyn Rainville, right, talks to Heather Hood, of Bradford, Vt., as she works behind the register at Bliss Village Store and Deli in Bradford, Vt., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The general store, which is owned by Rainville’s son Christopher Petrossian-Rainville, announced it would close its doors on October 15 due to economic pressures, ongoing staffing shortages and a decrease in foot traffic. “It’s a very emotional situation for me,” Rainville said. (Valley News - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Alex Driehaus

Published: 10-15-2024 2:47 PM

BRADFORD, Vt. — Initially scheduled to close Wednesday, the owner of the Bliss Village Store and Deli announced that she plans to stay open for the present while in talks with parties who have expressed interest in buying the business and property in downtown Bradford.

Marilyn Rainville, who co-owns the store with her son, Christopher Petrossian-Rainville, said that interest from potential buyers has picked up since word spread that they were planning to close the store Oct. 16.

Rainville said she’s hopeful a deal to sell both the store and the historic downtown property could be struck “in a week, two weeks or a month” and that to close the store before then would make it harder for a new owner to reopen.

“Once people see a ‘closed’ sign on the door you don’t know when and if they are coming back. We want to make it right for the new buyers because that way there is a smooth transition,” Rainville said.