[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING VARNEY'S STORE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, we frequently hear stories of small 
businesses across our Nation that are struggling to survive, a trend 
which has only been exacerbated by the present economic recession. 
Facing numerous challenges, too many small firms simply end up closing 
their doors. Yet fortunately, thanks to the generosity of one man, the 
story has a different ending for one small business in my home State of 
Maine. Today I honor Varney's Store, a longstanding fixture in the 
central Maine town of Windsor, that recently reopened to the approval 
of the store's many loyal customers.
  Shirley Varney has been running Varney's Store, a traditional, 
family-owned convenience store at the corner of Routes 17 and 32 in 
Windsor, for the past 73 years. Over these many years, she has 
experienced times of terrible burden and significant difficulty, such 
as when her husband and business partner sadly passed away 60 years 
ago. Additionally, Mrs. Varney suffered a stroke several years ago, 
which has left her confined to a wheelchair. As a result, it became 
difficult for Mrs. Varney to run her store, which she recently had to 
close.
  The closing of Varney's Store left a noticeable void in the 
community. Not long after, Mike Richardson, a Maine State trooper and 
local patron of the store for 35 years, stepped forward to offer a 
helping hand. Mr. Richardson had developed a lengthy relationship with 
the Varney family through his patronage of the store, and often came to 
Mrs. Varney's aid throughout the years. Displaying a true act of 
kindness, Mr. Richardson petitioned to become Mrs. Varney's legal 
guardian, committing to look after her and her son, who is also 
wheelchair bound.
  Furthermore, Mr. Richardson had the desire to resurrect the fabled 
general store, and embarked on an ambitious plan to make significant 
renovations and reopen the establishment to its dedicated customers. 
Along with his son Corey, now the manager of the store, Mr. Richardson 
gutted and revamped the inside, adding new and improved hardware and 
furnishings. The duo also incorporated a brand new grill area, tables, 
coolers, counters, and restrooms, and added a new parking lot outside. 
Mr. Richardson insisted that the unique character and ambiance be 
maintained, and so the store contains the original wood interior, 
several old tools, pictures of the original store, and many of the 
notable antiques that have made this institution so famous in the eyes 
of its clients. The store still boasts its famous swinging doors, which 
have been standing for the past 73 years.
  Thanks to the hard work and commitment of Mike Richardson, the new 
Varney's Store hosted a friends and family night on February 20 to 
celebrate the grand reopening of this famous locale, and the store was 
back in operation early the next morning, serving breakfast to longtime 
customers who had awaited its return.
  For nearly three-quarters of a century, Varney's Store has offered 
the people of Windsor and surrounding towns the goods they need for 
everyday living, but more significantly, it has provided them with a 
feeling of hospitality. I thank Mrs. Varney for her numerous years of 
dedicated service to make her store such a welcoming environment. 
Additionally, the story of Varney's Store resurgence is exemplary of 
how a neighbor's kindness can give hope to a family and an entire 
community. It is through the compassionate and gracious deeds of Mike 
Richardson and his family that Varney's Store has been refurbished and 
reopened, and I wish him and everyone at Varney's Store much success as 
they aim to continue its tradition of excellence.

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