CLOSED, AND RETIRED
By Natalie Jackson
17-year-old Jim Mayhew began working in a small convenience store with his father upon graduating from high school. He retells the story of his childhood as though it was yesterday.
“I walked into that store down there, November 12th of 1972. I went to my Dad, course he always helped me, and I said ‘could you come look at the building with me and see what you think of it?’ He came and looked all through it, and when we were leaving he said, ‘Would you take me as a partner?’ My Dad went to the bank, got a loan, and he co-signed for me,” Mayhew recalls. After two years of renting the building, Mayhew decided it was time to buy it and officially take over everything. His store on Troy Street in Richford was only the beginning for Mayhew.
At the age of 19, Mayhew had his future right at his fingertips, and his eyes on a frequent customer, a woman that didn’t know what she was getting herself into every time she walked into his store. “She was just prettier than hell,” Mayhew says as he describes the love of his life, his wife, and store owner alongside him, Paula.
Paula Mayhew walked right into the store business without knowing it. She began working alongside Jim when Jim’s father vacationed down in Florida.
In August of 1981, Jim sold the store on Troy Street and took over numerous apartments, as well as what is now Mayhew’s Corner Store on River Street in Richford. Together, Jim and Paula created the legendary store to become a piece of Richford’s history.
“Mayhew’s is like a landmark in Richford. Kids would always stop in and buy snacks or lunch on their way to school,” says a Richford alumn.
After working hard, defeating battles, and overcoming hardships for 35 years, Jim and Paula decided it is time for a rest. Come the end of August, the Mayhew’s said they planned to sell or liquidate the building and retire down in Cape Coral, Florida.
“You know what’s going to seem really nice? Never having to work another holiday, weekend or evening,” Paula says excitedly.
Since August 7, 1981, Mayhew’s Corner Store has been opened all but two days for business. Every Thanksgiving and every Christmas, townspeople could count on Mayhew’s as a safe place to go to for last minute holiday items.
Jim comes in to work at 6 am and Paula takes over midday until about 9 pm.
Snacks, candy, beer, cigarettes, and a small kitchen for orders can all be found in the little store.
The Mayhew’s found the best way to make sure their business did well was to get to know the customers. After creating a relationship with every customer and understanding what each one preferred–even special ordering some things when customers asked–the Mayhew’s say they’ll miss seeing everyone’s faces each day.
As a graduate of both Enosburg Falls Middle and High School and Richford Jr & Sr High School, Jim knew practically everyone. His popularity sure helped business take off for the young couple. Some people even joke that Jim Mayhew brought the two towns together, causing everyone to forget about the rivalry the two schools shared.
Customers come to the Mayhew’s from everywhere. “Sometimes we have the same customers come in every year on their way through up to the mountain in the winter time,” Paula states.
With the help from family, friends, and the community, the Mayhew’s have been able to cater to the community no matter their circumstances outside of work. For this, they are very gracious to live and work with a community that is so helpful.
After his time in the convenience store business, Jim says if there is any advice he can give to others from what he has learned, it is that, “If you want something you have just got to work hard and go get it.”
After searching for a buyer, Jim and Paula finally found one. They didn’t want to let the town of Richford down by closing the store for good. Come the end of August, though, the Mayhew’s will be leaving the store, but keeping their legacy. They were honored when the new owners asked to keep their store name, Mayhew’s Corner Store.
