Aubuchon Ace Montpelier reopens after flood
The Aubuchon Company recently celebrated the grand re-opening of their Montpelier, Vermont, store after the catastrophic flooding on July 10-11, 2023.
“We are back bigger than ever after the devastating floods this past summer ready to serve the community,” said Will Aubuchon, CEO.
The destruction forced hundreds of people to evacuate and destroyed homes, businesses, and farms, said the company.
“To support our local Vermont communities, we launched a Vermont Flood Recovery Roundup Campaign in our surrounding stores,” said the firm.
The fundraiser occurred in 17 Aubuchon Hardware stores, Martin’s hardware & Building Supply and Lyndonville hardware & Lumber.
Customers could donate their change by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar.
The Aubuchon Foundation, the firm’s nonprofit arm, matched the amount raised at each store, bringing the total donation to $36,572.
Proceeds benefited the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund set up by The Vermont Community Foundation.
The company said: “Those that attended the grand re-opening were privileged to be in the presence of two Aubuchon Company local legends; Dick Harlow and Gary Law.”
Dick Harlow began his career with the Aubuchon Company, “after he was hired in the basement of our Windsor, Vermont, store by Bernard Aubuchon Sr. in April of 1961. Though he started in the Windsor store, he soon went to our Montpelier store in 1963,” said the firm.
Gary Law was onboarded with the Aubuchon Company in May of 1978. He spent most of his career in Barre, Johnson, and Montpelier, but would also fill in for managers who took time off.
He was also essential in setting up new stores in and around Vermont. After Harlow retired, Law took over as the Montpelier store manager, running the location with his wife, Maria, said the company.
Numerous individuals played crucial roles in the successful reopening of the store, said the company, including the regional support team and regional operations team, led by regional director, Justin Bicknell.
The support center demonstrated remarkable commitment, supporting operations, merchandising, and human resources, said the firm.
“Ace also deserves acknowledgment for their invaluable assistance, particularly in making Montpelier our first co-branded store,” said Aubuchon.
