Nancilee Kennedy arrived in southern Vermont in March 1971 and moved to Danby a decade ago. In recent years, she began to worry about her small community.

After the local general store in the heart of town closed its doors, Main Street became eerily quiet.

She decided to do something about it. In November, she opened Danby Village Shops, a local marketplace selling food, toys, home decor, self-care products, clothing, and more.