HCR 155

R-191  Page 1 of 1
2026
No. R-191. House concurrent resolution honoring Melvin and Susan Coburn for their
nearly half-century of superb proprietorship of Coburns’ General Store in South
Strafford and congratulating the Strafford Community Trust on a successful
fundraising campaign to preserve this historic mercantile establishment.
                                        (H.C.R.155)
   Offered by Representatives Masland of Thetford and Holcombe of Norwich
   Whereas, since the 1880s, South Strafford has been the home of a beloved general
store that, for nearly half a century, featured the dedicated proprietorship of Melvin and
Susan Coburn, including 27 years when their daughter, Chrissy Jamieson, worked beside
her parents for 12-hour days, and
   Whereas, the Coburns operated a truly full-service general store, where not only
grocery and other in-demand products were sold, but they also hosted a bank, a deer
weighing station, a gas pump, a tiny laundromat, and the local U.S. Post Office, and the
store also welcomed local nonprofit organizations’ bake sales and maintained a lost and
found drop-off service, and
   Whereas, typical of their hometown relationships, the Coburns extended exceptional
kindness to local youngsters, including the then-young and now-popular music star Noah
Kahan, but although the Coburns extended a warm welcome to his fans who traveled to
South Strafford, the couple faithfully protected the Kahan family’s privacy, never
revealing a home address, and
   Whereas, after decades of ensuring their store was fully stocked and ready to serve
customers from near and far, the Coburns desired to step back from their daily duties and
sell to a member of the younger generation, and
   Whereas, this objective proved challenging, and friends of Coburns’ General Store,
both in Strafford and nearby Upper Valley communities, spearheaded a successful $1.8
million fundraising campaign to purchase the store under the rubric of the Strafford
Community Trust, and
   Whereas, this nonprofit model of general store ownership, which has proven
successful in other Vermont communities, is now, with the guidance of new
management, ensuring the continuance and vitality of the store, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
   That the General Assembly honors Melvin and Susan Coburn for their nearly half-
century of superb proprietorship of Coburns’ General Store in South Strafford and
congratulates the Strafford Community Trust on a successful fundraising campaign to
preserve this historic mercantile establishment, and be it further
   Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
the Coburn family, the Strafford Community Trust, and the store.
                                                                            VT LEG #387163 v.1