The Canterbury Country Store is owned and operated by David and Jane Balshaw, the 23rd set of Canterbury storekeepers since the first in 1767. The current circa 1800 building that houses the store began its life as a livery stable. When the fire of 1943 that swept through town center destroyed the Union Hall that held the store at that time, storekeeper Gerald Giles reopened in the repurposed livery stable to keep the town supplied.
The tradition of a store in the heart of Canterbury is one that is dear to the community. When in 2000 the then current storekeeper and building owner decided to retire and sell the building, the community rallied together to form a corporation to purchase the building with the mission of keeping a country store in the center of town in perpetuity.
This community owned building also houses an apartment and a United States Post Office who, along with the store, are tenants providing the business model to sustain the upkeep on this quirky old building and to uphold the mission of keeping a store in the center of town.
In the summer of 2023 the Balshaw’s joined with the Canterbury Community Market LLC to renovate and update the building, restoring past building transgressions and bringing a repurposed new life into its darkest recesses. This next iteration of the Canterbury Country Store returns it to some of its original purposes by providing prepared food on site, groceries and an assortment of odds n ends in keeping with the general store of Canterbury history.
The Canterbury Community Market, LLC
A group of community members, past & present, formed an organization in 2000 to raise money to buy the property in which the store operates. The LLC shareholders and the purchase of this property was instrumental in keeping both a store and the US Post Office in town, as well as providing a rental apartment within the community. The CCM, LLC and its Board oversee the maintenance and administration of the building housing the store, post office and rental apartment.
Friends of the Canterbury Country Store
A group of townspeople gathered in 2020, with the purpose to support in any capacity needed, the continuance of a thriving community country store and Post Office. This volunteer group works with the storekeepers and the CCM, LLC on projects in support of the various efforts to keep the store viable and sustainable in a changing world, where country stores and community gathering spots face many obstacles to their existence and success. For more information on becoming a “friend” contact us foccstore@gmail.com
Canterbury Country Store 