St. Johnsbury, Vermont – September 26, 2023 – Following the grand opening of the Caplan’s Building on August 10, 2023, Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury was awarded a Preservation Grant to support the renovation of the iconic building. The Freeman Foundation, in partnership with the Preservation Trust of Vermont, has granted $50,000 to support the building’s remarkable historic preservation efforts. This recognition comes after the successful completion of the renovation, which maintained the original storefront facade and incorporated the building’s historic elements, including hardwood floors, vintage signage, and a captivating history wall in the reception area.
The recent renovation, assisted by the Preservation Grant, made possible by a partnership between the Freeman Foundation and the Preservation Trust of Vermont, has breathed new life into the Caplan’s Building. The meticulous preservation efforts have ensured the retention of its unique character while offering a modern, functional space.
“We are honored to have received this generous grant from the Freeman Foundation and Preservation Trust of Vermont,” said Chris Towne, Chief Operating Officer of Northern Counties Health Care. “This award underscores our commitment to preserving the historical fabric of St. Johnsbury while providing walk-in healthcare services.”
Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury now calls the Caplan’s Building its home, marking a significant enhancement in healthcare accessibility for the local community. Additionally, the building is proud to host Catamount Arts as a temporary box office and downtown location for the Fried Family Gallery, ensuring access to artistic and creative experiences for the community.
The Freeman Foundation and Preservation Trust of Vermont’s support played a pivotal role in making this historic preservation effort a reality. Their dedication to preserving history and fostering community development is evident in the successful transformation of the Caplan’s Building.
The recent award acknowledges Northern Counties Health Care’s commitment to preserving the Caplan’s Building’s rich heritage and offering a vibrant space for both healthcare and the arts in St. Johnsbury.
About Northern Counties Health Care:
Northern Counties Health Care encompasses seven community health centers—including two walk-in primary care locations, three dental centers, and a certified home health care & hospice division providing a full spectrum of quality, affordable, and compassionate health care services to patients of all ages, throughout the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. For more information, visit www.nchcvt.org. NCHC is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,343,777 with 80% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
News & Events
Bingo Fundraiser Supports Hospice Program – August 2023
Thanks to community support and many happy Bingo players, this year’s Bingo fundraiser event held at the Caledonia County Fair successfully raised funds to support the Hospice Program at Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice.
Fair goers who stopped to play at the Bingo tent had the chance to win cash and other prizes, including smart tvs, and donations from local businesses.
Thank you to Passumpsic Savings Bank, Community National Bank, Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc, and Union Bank, VT & NH for their generous sponsorship of the event. They helped make it possible for all funds raised during Bingo to go directly towards the Hospice program. Additional sponsors include Maple Center Motors, Bean’s Mobile Homes, Graves Builders, Marty’s 1st Stop, Ruggco, Inc, Sanderson Wooden Bowls, Nick’s Gas N Go, NSN Northeast Sports Network, Stone Crest Properties, The Carpet Connection, Ville Auto Supply, NVRH and St. Johnsbury Elks Lodge # 1343.
It is through the generosity of our sponsors and community which support ours work to provide comfort, choice, hope, and connection to our hospice patients and their loved ones. This support makes it possible for our caring and compassionate providers to help families focus on what truly matters – their loved one’s needs and wishes.
Visit our Donation page to learn more about supporting the annual fund at Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice by visiting https://www.nchcvt.org/support/donate-today/.
Northern Counties Health Care Announces Tenant for Caplan’s Building Commercial Space
St. Johnsbury, July 27, 2023 – Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is pleased to announce that Catamount Arts has been selected as a temporary co-tenant at the newly renovated Caplan’s Building, located at 457 Railroad Street in downtown St. Johnsbury. The Caplan’s Building, was acquired by NCHC in October 2021 after the closure of the beloved Caplan’s Army Store on December 31, 2020. The building has been recently renovated and will be the new location for Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury. Northern Counties Health Care is excited to open its doors to support the arts community and create a hub for creativity and cultural engagement.
A committee comprising representatives from NCHC staff, board of directors, and the St. Johnsbury community spearheaded the selection process. The 800 sq/ft space within the Caplan’s Building was made available through a letter of interest solicitation process. Catamount Arts emerged as the top choice to occupy the space while their building is temporarily closed. Catamount Arts, an esteemed cultural institution in the Northeast Kingdom, has been instrumental in promoting arts, film, and education in the region for many years. This exciting opportunity to temporarily occupy the newly renovated space at the Caplan’s Building will allow Catamount Arts to maintain a downtown presence and support its mission of enriching the community with creative endeavors and cultural experiences.
“The Caplan’s Building will continue to serve our community, and we are excited to welcome Catamount Arts to share the space with us,” said Chris Towne, Chief Strategy Officer at Northern Counties Health Care. “There is more to a community’s health than health care services, and we are pleased to support Catamount Arts and promote the region’s creative economy by sharing this vibrant space.” The Caplan’s Building, with its rich history, now enters a new chapter as a space for community enrichment. Northern Counties Health Care is excited about the potential of this collaboration to strengthen community ties and offer residents of St. Johnsbury and the surrounding areas a space to experience the transformative power of art.
“We are grateful to Northern Counties Health Care for this wonderful opportunity,” said Catamount Arts Executive Director Jody Fried. “Being able to continue our programs and initiatives from this centrally located space will allow us to further our mission and continue positively impacting the lives of people in the Northeast Kingdom.”
An open house and ribbon cutting of the Caplan’s Building including Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury and Catamount Arts’ temporary location is scheduled for August 10th at 2pm.
Express Care Clinic At Caplan’s Opening in August – Campaign To Raise Project Funding Underway
Craig Taylor, Facilities Director and Chris Towne, Chief Strategy Officer stand outside the Caplan’s Building. Photo credit: Brynn Evans
Courtesy of Caledonian Record (May 12, 2023)
Article by Dana Gray, Staff Writer
ST. JOHNSBURY — The conversion of Caplan’s Army Store into a downtown express health care clinic continues, and owner Northern Counties Health Care plans an August opening.
What was a wide open floor space on which to shelve, stack and hang merchandise in the long-time Caplan’s footwear and clothing store is now a series of walled-off spaces forming offices, exam rooms and a waiting room.
The outside has not substantially changed. The large letters once affixed to the Railroad Street-facing facade that spelled out CAPLAN’S ARMY STORE are gone, but letters noting “CAPLAN’S EST. 1922” on the north-facing exterior remain. The two street-front entrances and the large front windows used by Caplan’s to showcase merchandise remain, but the windows are new and double-paned.
And that’s just two-thirds of the first-floor renovation.
The second street-front entrance leads to a space that NCHC wants to lease to someone. It’s an open floor plan with a wall separating the clinic space that offers about 800 square feet. The lessee’s rent will include the space, heat, water, and electricity. There’s flexibility in the lease terms, said NCHC Chief Strategy Officer Chris Towne, in both lease length and lease rate.
“We are seeking proposals that will provide a community benefit or assist with a community need in line with our vision to build healthy families and thriving communities,” notes NCHC.
Towne said the tenant can be a non-profit organization or a for-profit business.
He said NCHC doesn’t need the entire space the Caplan’s building provides for the clinic. Walling off a space for a tenant still left NCHC with about twice the space of its current home further south downtown at the corner of Railroad Street and Eastern Avenue.
Towne said NCHC will consider any idea for a tenant, but sharing the building with a retail tenant would be a good way to offer a use that reflects what the building once was. He said when Caplan’s closed, there was a hope that a retailer would step up to fill the space.
“The town had a desire to have retail,” he said. “If there is a desire for a small retail space, we’d like to hear from people about what they’re thinking.”
NCHC bought the building from Dave Caplan in October 2021. By then, it had been closed as a retail store for ten months.
The timing of the project, coming out of the pandemic with worker shortages and supplies pricier through inflation, has meant a higher cost and a need for NCHC to reach out for community support.
“As for the budget, with increases in labor and materials we would really appreciate the community’s support,” said Towne.
The renovation cost is $679,080.
A capital campaign is underway with a goal to raise $179,000. Local banks – Union, Community National and Passumpsic – have each contributed $25,000.
NCHC is inviting any level of support; donate online here.
Supporters who make a donation by June 15 will be recognized at the grand opening set for Aug. 10. Donors contributing $250 or more will be honored on a donor wall at the Caplan’s Building. Towne pointed to the wall in the waiting room where the listing of donor names is expected to be located. He said they’d find a bigger wall for the listing if the number of donor names is especially long.
Among the enticements for people to give is the effort by NCHC to honor as much as possible the building’s past. This includes the placement of the original Caplan’s sign letters inside, referring to it as the Caplan’s Building and putting a sign out front that notes that, the use of the original flooring (sanded and refinished) and a tribute to long-time Caplan’s Army Store employee Gary Ely.
“We’re trying to preserve as much of the building as possible,” said Towne.
NCHC’s Director of Development, Marketing & Communications Brynn Evans said, “Knowing just how much a part of the community this was, we want to do this right.”
The grand opening with ribbon-cutting is set for Aug. 10. The next day the clinic will welcome its first patient. Graves Builders in Barnet began work on Feb. 6. Between Graves’ crew and subcontractors about 20 people have been at work on the Caplan’s conversion.
If interested in occupying the Caplan’s Building next to the Express Clinic, submit a letter of interest via email to rhondag@nchcvt.org or drop it off, or mail it to Northern Counties Health Care – Rhonda Gilman, 165 Sherman Dr., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. The deadline for submitting a letter of interest is May 31, 2023.
Northern Counties Health Care Seeks Proposals for Commercial Space at Caplan’s Building
St. Johnsbury, VT—Christopher Towne, Chief Strategy Officer at Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is pleased to announce that the organization is now accepting letters of interest from organizations, businesses, or individuals who are interested in leasing 800 square feet of commercial space at the newly renovated Caplan’s Building. The space is located at 457 Railroad Street in downtown St. Johnsbury.
NCHC purchased the Caplan’s Building in November 2022 and is currently renovating the building to be the new home of Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury. The available commercial space is located on the street level adjacent to where that health care practice will be located. It features a dedicated entrance and the shell space can be retrofitted to meet the lessee’s needs. The space will be available starting August 2023.
“Northern Counties is committed to making the Caplan’s Building a place that serves our community,” said Towne. “We have kept part of the building available for a future use that will help build healthy families and thriving communities. We are eager to hear from businesses, non-profits, collaborative groups, and individuals with their ideas for making that goal a reality.”
NCHC is seeking letters of interest for use of the shell-space that will provide a community benefit or assist with a community need in line with the organizations vision to build healthy families and thriving communities. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of members that includes representation from NCHC, NEK Prosper!, and the St. Johnsbury Community.
The deadline for submitting a letter of interest is May 31, 2023. The determination of the final use of the space will be made by July 31, 2023. Interested parties can view details on submitting a letter of interest here.
Northern Counties Health Care Offering Walk-in COVID Vaccine Clinics
Visit our Mobile Health Trailer at the Kingdom Maple Festival on April 22nd from 10am – 3pm in St. Johnsbury, VT! We’ll be offering COVID vaccines and boosters and sharing community resources! No appointment needed!
Effective January 10th – May 26, 2023 – Northern Counties Health Care is offering walk-in COVID vaccines & Boosters:
Download the flyer here.
No appointment needed! Vaccines for all eligible ages: 6 months+.
Initial Vaccines and boosters including the bivalent boosters—effective against both the original and Omicron strains of the virus.
Northern Express Care – Newport: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am – 2pm
Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury: Saturdays 7am – 9am
Concord Health Center: Thursdays 7:30am – 2pm
Danville Health Center: Wednesdays 7:30am – 2pm
Hardwick Area Health Center: Wednesdays 2pm – 6pm
Island Pond Health & Dental Center: Tuesdays 7:30am – 2pm
St. Johnsbury Community Health Center: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30am – 2pm
Temporary Maple Themed Mural at the Future Northern Express Care Site
St. Johnsbury, Vermont – In the midst of construction, a temporary plywood wall has gone up on the façade of the former Caplan’s Army Navy Store in downtown St. Johnsbury. Northern Counties Health Care has plans for a temporary mural by local artist Larry Golden to beautify the construction site.
The temporary plywood ensures pedestrian safety during the construction of the façade, which includes upgrading glass for the windows. When community partners learned the wall would be up for around two months, they connected to brainstorm about how best to beautify the site.
The group landed on a maple-themed mural to tie in with the upcoming Kingdom Maple Festival on April 22nd and help usher in spring. Artist Larry Golden agreed to the plan and started work on the mural this week. Larry’s son Ricky will be assisting with the process.
The mural is made possible through a partnership with Catamount Film & Arts and resident Heather Alger and funds from Discover St. Johnsbury and Graves Builders. Aubuchon Hardware and Sherwin-Williams generously donated paint for the mural.
“We know the Caplan’s Building is well-loved by many people,” said Brynn Evans, NCHC’s Director of Development & Marketing. “Northern Counties is thrilled that this partnership will help the building be part of the downtown community, even during construction.”
Northern Counties Health Care plans to honor the history of the Caplan’s Building through the renovation project. Once completed later this summer, Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury will relocate to the building. The new space will enhance walk-in primary services for the community. Details about the project can be found here.
Northern Counties Health Care Unveils New 3-Year Strategic Plan
The Board of Directors and Management Team of Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) are pleased to announce the new 3-year strategic plan for the organization. The plan took effect on April 1st—the start of their 2024 fiscal year.
The Strategic Plan is based on the voices of the community, data about the community’s health and well-being, and the deliberations of the NCHC Board of Directors and Management Team. The plan follows a Community Health Needs Assessment that featured the input of 1,328 community members, including leaders from more than 30 organizations.
“Collaboration and community engagement are key to our success,” said Christopher Town, NCHC’s Chief Strategy Officer. “We will all be stronger together as we work to redefine health care beyond traditional healthcare services.”
The focus areas of the NCHC strategic plan are mental health, primary care, recruiting and retention, financial health, and inclusion. These areas are central to the strategic goals—the CARES framework—to expand Capacity, increase Access, leverage Relationships, promote Excellence, and advance Sustainability. The focus areas and goals will shape NCHC’s operational strategies and guide the organization’s work over the coming years.
“We believe that Northern Counties will be the leader in preventative care and wellness in the NEK,” said Tin Barton-Caplin, NCHC Board President. “We want to ensure our community members have opportunities for good health and great care, when and where they need it. That is the overarching goal of the new Strategic Plan.”
“Rural health care and our rural communities are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities,” said NCHC CEO Michael Costa. “Our strategic plan will help us face those challenges and leverage the opportunities. It will guide NCHC in our work to build healthy families and thriving communities as it builds on our proud tradition of leadership and service to our patients and the communities we serve.”
The NCHC Strategic Plan can be viewed here.
