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Lisa Boucher Photo
Steeple again caps Fairfax
Store to restock routine for many
By LISA M. BOUCHER
Messenger Correspondent
Published In The St. Albans Messenger Weekend Edition
October 3, 2009
FAIRFAX—It has seemed like forever in coming, but it finally happened, Friday morning around 8. The new steeple was place on the roof of the soon-to-be re-opened and new and improved Steeple Market.
A crowd of about 20 community members along with local television media gathered to watch the momentous event as a large crane from Brown's Crane Service of Bristol hoisted the 17-foot handmade replica into its rightful place.
A cheer went up and applause rang in the valley signaling that the little store would soon be operating once again.
Now when will the store open? "In about three to four weeks," said store owner, Pierre Menard. Menard was busy onsite fielding questions from local network affiliates, WCAX, FOX44, as well as NECN out of Boston.
Although the combined number of those standing outdoors to witness the event was small, the 45-minute process to set the steeple in place drew a crowd of cars and honks of horns along the morning commute route.
In the days ahead, the town will return to life and routines as they were before the Christmas Eve fire claimed the old church building that housed the store.
Once again commuters will be stopping for their morning cup of Green Mountain Coffee, the deli will be busy making lunch and after school the kids will go back to cutting through a Maple Street yard on their way to buy snacks before sports practice - instead of using the road as they should.
The homeowner has probably enjoyed the reprieve of less foot traffic all these months, even at the inconvenience of not having the store. However, the path is so old and well-worn that it is almost possible it was deeded as a right-of way 30 years ago when a store opened here.
The construction project has been underway since March when the remnants of the burned-out church were torn down and hauled away The permitting process began soon after the fire at a time when Menard wasn't sure if he was even going to rebuild to popular store.
Those watching the steeple rise on a cold October morning remembered Christmas Eve and the fire. This was a much happier occasion.
"It had a full line grocery, the only one in town. People came in for their morning coffee, meat for supper, or something for lunch from the deli. They came in to chat and socialize," said Jane Fisher an employee of the store for about 20 years before retiring to care for her grandson. "It was the center of town."