The
venerable Country Trader building, one of the oldest remaining
business structures in town, will reopen Nov. 28, with a coffee
shop and other shops planned.
The recently renovated Country Trader building, 27818 Valley
Center Rd., offers an historical snapshot of Valley Center.
For Lora Lee Stephens, VC’s historic Country Trader building
has always held a certain charm.
One of the oldest commercial buildings left standing in VC,
it was purchased by Mrs. Stephens in 2006 with the dream of
one day restoring it to create a place that people would want
to come browse through its shops.
“For me, renovating the Country Trader has been a work
of passion. It is my hope that the people of Valley Center will
come to love this place as I do,” says Mrs. Stephens,
who recently restored the building in a way that retains its
original country charm, as well as all of its original wooden
beams and many original doors.
“It was very important to recondition this historic building
in a manner that would honor its integrity,” she told
The Roadrunner.
Because the building is one of the town’s oldest commercial
buildings, Mrs. Stephens said it was important to preserve its
unique history by reinstating its historic name as the Country
Trader. Today it is reminiscent of yesteryear, adorned with
large scrolling letters that read simply, “The Country
Trader.”
History
1943-44: The Country Trader was built by George Hayes Rogers
and his family, who together manufactured the bricks for the
building on site. The Rogers family both lived in the building
and operated a garage and farm repair business there.
Late 1940s: A second story was added to the Country Trader and
the Rogers family moved its living quarters upstairs.
1963: Mr. Rogers dies, but his wife, Melba, continued to live
in the building.
1966: Melba Rogers died. Prior to the building’s sale,
it sat vacant for several years, deteriorating in the process.
1972: The building was acquired by David Toler, a Native American
who operated an Indian arts gift shop and called it the Country
Trader.
1978: Toler sold the building and on and off throughout the
years it was home to real estate offices and antique businesses.
November 2009: The Country Trader will come alive, officially
opening its doors on Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. with its grand opening
celebration: “The Country Trader, Country Christmas.”
The events will include a tree lighting and many other activities,
says Susan Guenther, proprietor and VC resident.
For event details visit www.vccountrytrader.com/
