The historic JJ Hapgood General Store — a nearly 200-year-old landmark in Peru, Vermont, and the beloved filming location from the 1987 classic film Baby Boom — has been officially listed for sale following a remarkable revitalization that has transformed it into a celebrated dining, retail, and community destination.
The property, originally established in 1827, underwent a significant modern renaissance beginning in 2013, when a local resident redeveloped the building while preserving its authentic Vermont character. The revitalization project saw the incorporation of exceptional craftsmanship such as Danby marble walkways and custom cabinetry. In 2023, entrepreneurs Leslie and Michael French, along with their daughters, acquired the JJ Hapgood General Store and, after a period of temporary closure for comprehensive renovation and rebranding, reopened with expanded breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.
Image Credit: JJ Hapgood General Store
What's Driving This Trend
- Heritage Retail Revivals
- Historic storefronts are being repositioned as premium mixed-use destinations that blend preservation, hospitality, and local commerce into differentiated community experiences.
- Community Dining Hubs
- Small-town food concepts can become social anchors by pairing all-day dining with retail, events, and place-based storytelling.
- Nostalgia-driven Destinations
- Culturally recognizable properties with film, history, or regional identity offer distinctive potential for experiential tourism and branded local engagement.
Who This Affects Most
- Hospitality
- Boutique restaurants and inn-adjacent dining formats are benefiting from renewed demand for authentic, design-rich gathering places in rural markets.
- Retail
- General store concepts are evolving beyond convenience shopping into curated local marketplaces that merge artisan goods, food service, and cultural heritage.
- Real Estate
- Adaptive reuse of landmark properties creates value through historic character, commercial diversification, and destination-based community appeal.
