The owners outside Johnson General Store, Mike and Haley Mignone. Courtesy photo.
Since its opening in May 2025, Johnson General Store has truly been a labor of community love. Its success stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of owners Mike and Haley Mignone, and the unwavering support of the Greater Johnson community.
Just one month after launching the business, the Mignones faced an almost catastrophic setback when a portion of the store’s inventory was lost during a townwide electrical outage. This difficulty followed an already challenging launch. Equipment issues and unexpected startup costs — financial strains exacerbated by the outage — had left the couple unsure if they could keep their doors open.
“For this to happen so early on when we were already asking ourselves, ’Can we do this? Can we succeed?’ — it was really hard,“ Mike Haley said.
But the community turned out in large numbers to help the business stay afloat.
“Along with donations from many community members, we had a lot of people who otherwise still shopped at other stores come in to buy from us, just to show their support,“ Mike said.
This outpouring reflects what first inspired the couple to open the store.
Johnson had been without a grocery store since July 2023, when Sterling Market closed after sustaining extensive flood damage. Locals were forced to drive 20 minutes to Morrisville for groceries.
“We saw how people were impacted by the lack of a store,“ Haley said. “We wanted to fill that gap — to make sure people’s basic needs were met.“
A Business Rooted in Community
Together, Mike and Haley brought a unique skill set to the challenge. Mike, who moved to Vermont from New York City more than 20 years ago, brings decades of food and beverage experience and has owned several small businesses in the area. Haley, a South Burlington native, is a social worker who runs a part-time counseling practice out of their home while raising their three young children. Her work centers on supporting individuals and families — a mission that naturally extends to the store’s role as a community hub.
It was important to both Mike and Haley that the store be accessible, both financially and geographically. They renovated an existing building on Main Street, within walking distance for many residents, and made sure the store could accept EBT cards. They’ve also built a relationship with the local food pantry, supplying products at just above cost and holding seasonal food drives.
Six months in, the store has become a regular stop for many in town, offering fresh produce, grocery items and a growing selection of prepared foods.
“People really have shown up,“ Haley said. “They’ve made it clear that they are here with us and want us to succeed.“
The couple’s next goal is to purchase the building. They’re working with Charley Ininger, an adviser at the Vermont Small Business Development Center, for guidance.
“The more heads on projects, the better,“ Mike said.
Amanda Kuhnert is a self-employed content strategist and writer in Woodstock. Johnson General Store, 201 Lower Main Street East, is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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