About us
The Brick Store is the passion project of Christa Driscoll, who has lovingly renovated and restored this beautiful building with her husband, with the hope that it lives on for another 200+ years. Looking towards the future for new and modern ways to use this 1830’s General Store, she has turned it into a space for other business owners, freelancers, and remote workers to come together and have a common place to call their office. On the main floor Christa has her stationery, graphic design, art, and antique print shop.
Photo of when Christa bought the building in August 2017.
The history
‘The Brick Store’ is how it was referred to in historical documents over its long history. Having cycled through only four or five owners in its near 200-year existence, is a nearly unaltered relic of the town of Fairfield’s early settlement. It served as a country store for many years until the late 1900s when it was converted to an antique and floral shop. At present it is being converted into a co-working space, and a design and print studio that hosts an antique letterpress from 1918.
Originally owned by the Soule family, whose presence in Fairfield dates back to the town’s settlement in the late 1700s, the store was named for A.G. Soule and later managed by other members of his family including three of the Soule sisters. The Soules were a prominent family who lived in the white house up North Street, and who served the town of Fairfield in a variety of capacities, including that of town clerk, postmaster, and state legislator.
The building was constructed in 1830. It was operated as a store and provided postal services during the mid-20th century under the ownership of Gertrude Howrigan.
A historic Gem
The building retains many of the original features used and maintains most aspects of integrity, including setting, location, workmanship, design, materials, feeling, and association. The open floor plan and long counters lining the walls evoke the sense of similar general stores found throughout Vermont. The barn contains the original wooden pulley system used for the movement of goods. Other than some alteration to the access of the barn at the rear of the main building and the construction of the barn itself shortly after the store, little has been done to change the building structure or footprint, especially in its recent history. The windows on the main facade were altered sometime between 1860 and 1900, when the store front windows were added, and the multi-pane second floor windows were replaced with one over one double hung sash. The building’s setting at the main intersection of a small-town center reflects its original setting when the town held a more vibrant commercial role.
before
After
