Jay Hathaway, Co-Founder of the Alliance

Jay Hathaway, Co-Founder of the Vermont Alliance of Independent Country Stores, died Sept. 12, 2009. Jay was the former proprietor of Peltier's Market in Dorset, a time during which he worked with a small group of store owners to develop the idea of the Alliance. He and his wife Terri owned several area stores and businesses including the Quarry Shop, East Dorset General Store, Gilbert's Hardware and the Battenkill Butcher Block. In 2005, after leaving the Alliance and following time working in New York in the social services, he was appointed Executive Director of Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Jay was the motivation and a founding member of the Alliance and a champion for our industry. For most organizations, it is the vision of only a few people -- sometimes just one person -- that brings focus, purpose and ultimately reality. The work of bringing that vision to reality is not simple, easy or comfortable, but it is essential. Jay recognized the essential nature of that work, set aside time and energy for it, and brought the Alliance to its position of innovation and strength today.

It is our deep sadness that Jay's guidance -- which continued long after he left the Alliance and his Peltier's Market in Dorset -- will no longer be available to Vermont. Yet our sadness is mixed with the pleasure of having experienced with Jay the beginnings of a great adventure that has been changing Vermont for the better.