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Green Mountain Books and Prints opened its doors for business in March of 1977. Ralph and Rosemary Secord had a
camp in Sheffield where they spent many summers. In the beginning the store was only open three days a week
during the summer months, then the Secord's would head back to Connecticut leaving the store in the hands of
Stanley Brill for the winter. Mr. Brill built many of the bookshelves that are still in use today. Prior to
opening Green Mountain Books and Prints Ralph Secord was a librarian and ran a business called The Gilead
Hill Bookstore. Ralph and his son also toured around the countryside selling remaindered books to schools.
Eventually Ralph and Rosemary bought a house in Lyndonville and took on the bookstore as a full time venture.
     
Ellen Secord-Doyle and Jim Doyle would often come to visit them during the summer. When they were in town
Ellen would work in the shop for a week or two at a time. In 1980 they decided to make the move and came to
live in Sutton. At this time both Ellen and Jim shared working hours in the store with Ralph. Friday afternoons
were Jim Doyle's "special" time in the store, eventually he acquired quite a following of friends who would
come in to visit and chat, and occasionally close up early and head to Luigi's (a place across the street)
for an evening beer!      
Eventually Jim started teaching English at Lyndon State College. The bookstore grew. Green Mountain Books
and Prints began as a used, rare, and remaindered bookstore, now it expanded to carrying new books as well.
Ellen was always grateful for the advice she received about the new book business from Caroline DeMaio owner
of Northern Lights Bookstore in St. Johnsbury. Even though she was creating competition for herself she gave
invaluable information and support in this new venture. Now the store had regular hours and was open six days a week.
      In 1979 Laurel Holmes began keeping the books for the store and in 1984 she and Rachel Deslits began working every other Saturday with Ralph. This continued until 1993 when Ralph Secord passed away at the age of 77.       Rosemary began coming to the store full time and she and Ellen continued running the shop with the help of Laurel and Rachel. Rosemary worked in the Children's Room and did the bank deposits. Eventually when Rosemary began working less Ellen's good friend Leslie Gensburg would come in on Wednesday afternoons so Ellen could go and lunch up the street with her mother. Rosemary always supported the store from behind the scenes. She would also often come in and spend afternoons working with Ellen; she is well remembered for sitting in the blue chair in the corner window.
      Green Mountain Books and Prints continues on today, welcoming the community through it's doors and taking pleasure in ensuring that Lyndonville Vermont will always have a place for community to meet to share ideas and the love of books. |