The Country Depot in Vankleek Hill has new owners, and the long-established farm and rural supply outlet will continue to provide products for the area’s agricultural customers. New products and services are also being added.
Lifelong Vankleek Hill residents Wayne Hall and Scott Barton became owners of the Home Avenue business in mid-September. The building was originally home to a now-defunct cooperative and was constructed as its feed mill and supply store in 1957. Ken Guth was the owner of the Country Depot until Hall and Barton took over.
Country Depot in Vankleek Hill offers a full range of feed, seed, and other supplies for farmers or pet owners, along with a limited amount of hardware. Hall and Barton have added new products and services and plan to add more. The closure of Depanneur Lalande in August left Vankleek Hill without a return depot for empty beer bottles and cans, or for empty wine and liquor bottles. Hall and Barton successfully negotiated with The Beer Store, which operates the deposit return system, to have the empty return service offered at Country Depot. Hall said they are also planning to meet with Ontario Lottery and Gaming about offering lottery ticket sales. He said offering the empty return service has already brought more customer traffic into the business, which means a wider range of products could be offered.
The inside of the store has been rearranged, and the outside has been spruced up.
“We’re trying to clean it up and add to what’s in the store,” Hall said.
Hall is in the process of retiring from his job in the federal public service. Barton continues to also operate a beef and cash crop farm east of town.
“We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” Hall said.
Vankleek Hill Country Depot is located at 26 Home Avenue and is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
Photos: James Morgan
