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Kennedy Brothers Owner Plans Major Renovations in Vergennes

Store to Remain Open During Construction

photo by Mike Cameron The Kennedy Brothers cow enjoys some sunshine last week. The Vergennes firm will begin a major renovation project as soon as plans are approved by State Regulators. The business and buildings will remain open during the project.

Tuesday January 29, 2008

By Mike Cameron

    Kennedy Brothers owner Edwin Grant   will not be closing the popular retail and business complex in Vergennes.

    Contrary to several widely circulated rumors Grant explained that the building will undergo  substantial renovations but, it will not be closing even during the construction phase of the project.

    “We are working with Architect Peter Morris right now.  Peter is a local business professional and is very familiar with the building and its history.  His firm did the design work on our last renovation in 1987,” Grant explained.

    Kennedy Brothers is one of the state’s true architectural treasures and is currently home to a host of retail establishments, art galleries and professional offices.  They will also remain open during the construction phase of the project.

A Brief History        

    The original Kennedy Brothers. Inc began in the 1930’s.  Brothers Paul T. and John F. Kennedy started the business in 1937 by making doors and other components to be used in the construction of cottages their company was building on Lake Champlain.  It was a bare bones operation to say the least with the men using their garage as the base of operations.

    The Kennedy’s were inovative and created a line of handmade wooden candle holders and bowls.  While one brother worked the wood lathe the other traveled to larger metropolitan areas to sell the wares.

   The Kennedy’s opened a store in Charlotte called Green Mountain Wood Crafters but lost it in a devastating fire in 1942.

    The brothers were undaunted moving to Bristol and grew their woodworking business until 1959 when a larger headquarters was needed.

 The Kennedy Brothers located in Vergennes in 1960.

   It is also interesting to note that the white painted section of the current complex was originally a milk plant and creamery and the large brick section was once a manufacturing center producing Casein, a milk by-product that produced a curd that could be washed, dried and powdered.  Casein, a protien rich dairy product has long been a favorite of food chemists.  It can be added  to just about every food in the supermarket. It however has never been popular with certain food alergies.

   Since its early days Kennedy Brothers has always been a popular tourist destination and remains so today even though the woodware manufacturing business  is no longer in operation.

   Antique and crafts vendors along with retailers and professional business offices now enjoy the  historic old building that is about to get a fresh new look.

   Asked about publishing blueprints of the project, Grant indicated that they are not complete yet, and that the entire plan will have to be reviewed by Vermont state regulators.

   Kennedy Brothers continues to be a family run business.  Edwin “Win” Grant  the late Paul Kennedy’s Son in Law is looking forward to the new look.

    “This is going to be an extensive renovation project. We will close off the main entrance to the building during construction but the south entrance of the red brick building will be open during the entire time,” Grant explained.

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