12 new businesses in St. J, and more on the way!

St. Johnsbury welcomed twelve new brick & mortar businesses to the downtown in 2021, by far the highest number in the last eight years. Despite the pandemic, people are investing in their dreams and choosing St. J as the home for their business.

​In the early weeks of 2022, business growth is already looking bright. We're partnering to support Do North Coworking's KickstartNEK, a free 10-week program to help fledgling entrepreneurs pursue their passion and create a successful business. Read on to learn about the businesses we welcomed in 2021, and find out about resources to help you join the St. J business community.

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The new stores in downtown St. Johnsbury included a wide variety of retail shops, services, and eateries, including:

• Boule Bakery
• Best Buds Smokeshop
• Flipped VT Tech
• Gypsy Coast Co.
• Haven
• Jackie Fox Studio & Gallery
• Kingdom Animal Hospital
• Lift Medical
• LINK Vermont
• Lumiere VT
• SMD Outdoors
• St. Johnsbury Community Hub

It's worth noting that we're not even counting home-based businesses or enterprises outside of the downtown (The DiSpencery @ AAP, we're looking at you!) in our record-breaking total. Even now, in the early weeks of 2022, we're eagerly anticipating more new openings in the renovated New Avenue building, as well as other exciting projects like Zion Growers' purchase of the historic E.T. & H.K. Ide property.

​Are you inspired? If you have a business concept and want to try your hand at running your own enterprise, the FREE 10-week KickStartNEK entrepreneurship program through Do North Coworking is a fantastic way to commit to turning your idea into a reality. This Co.Starters-based program starts February 17 and runs just one evening per week (virtually for at least the first few sessions) to connect you to a cohort of other budding entrepreneurs, and a pool of experts to help answer your questions. The application deadline is January 15, so don't delay!

Learn more & Apply

In addition to KickStartNEK, we love helping entrepreneurs find the resources they need to start or grow their business in St. Johnsbury. Please get in touch (email: [email protected]) if you're looking for a confidential sounding board for your business idea, referrals for commercial real estate, or want to learn about NCIC or NVDA's cost-sharing grant programs.