Welcome Friends!
In January of 2017 my wife Mary and I completed our long journey to purchase Buxton’s Store in beautiful downtown Orwell, Vermont. A place me, and many of my family members, have called home.
I would like to share some of the history of its’ 50-year adventure.
In 1967, my grandparents, Dick and Thelma Buxton had a dream to buy an existing country store in Orwell.
After many years of hard work and dedication they decided to retire and sell the family business to Mr. Doug Edward in 2006.
Fast forward to 2017—with a combined 35-years of hospitality experience, Mary and I bravely purchased this historical local icon. During my youth, I worked many, many hours at the family store cutting meat, stocking shelves, waiting on customers as well as lots of outside work for the store. Then, after high school, I continued my career in learning the diverse art of culinary creation, first at Angela’s Restaurant, Hawks Country Kitchen, Fire & Ice Restaurant and then I spent over 16-years at Two Brothers Tavern in Middlebury. I worked in multiple positions such as manager, bartender, server, caterer, host and in the kitchen creating many delicious daily specials. During my time at Two Brothers Tavern, I worked collaboratively with many a great chef! Mary invested over 17-years in the hospitality industry working locally at Fire & Ice Restaurant, Two Brothers Tavern, Storm Café and Alfresco Catering working as a hostess, server, caterer and manager.
We met at Fire & Ice and Angela’s Restaurant in 2002 and bought a house in Orwell in 2010 and we got hitched (it was a Thursday) on our property on 2011. In 2012 we welcomed our first child, Vada. She has a wonderful imagination, is a great big sister to Edie, who arrived in 2014, and loves to cook with Daddy. Edie loves to copy her big sister, loves to talk, her imagination is developing and tells us daily (sometimes 3x a day) that she loves daddy, mommy, Vada, herself and our cat, Clark W. Griswald.
With so many years in the hospitality business we realized our passion is people and food! When we purchased the store, and we moved our family into the house attached to the store—the same place where my grandparents lived while I grew up. It is my face you will see most in the store, as well as Vada and Edie. Mary will be around, but will continue her job as Operations Manager for Addison Family Medicine for now.
We are excited to serve the community of Orwell and beyond and it is our desire to expand out to wider demographics. Now more than ever with two young children, Mary and I understand and are passionate about the need for readily available healthier, home-cooked flavorful offerings.
In the future, we will be collaborating with local vendors that provide sustainable meats, produce and grocery.
Lastly, and most importantly we are committed to our mission;
“Where Quality and Friendliness Come First.”
I look forward to meeting you and serving my community!
Come see us soon,
Andy, Mary, Vada and Edie!
