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.
Caplan's
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.
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.
Construction Begins at Former Caplan’s Building
L-R: Northern Counties team members Craig Taylor – Facilities Director and Jim Windrow – Assistant Facilities Director stand with Bill Graves – Owner of Graves Builders on the first day of construction at the Caplan’s Building.
St. Johnsbury, VT – Construction began on Monday, February 6, 2023 at the former Caplan’s Building in St. Johnsbury. Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is transforming the space in order to relocate Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury to the building during the summer of 2023.
The general contractor for the project is Graves Builders out of Barnet, VT. The first step in the project is demolition and prepping the space for the build out. NCHC strives to honor the history of the building and is working to keep as much of the building’s aesthetic as possible. The organization also plans to honor Gary Ely for his long-time commitment to the Caplan’s Army Store, the building, and the community.
Learn more about the Caplan’s Building project here.
Plans for Caplan’s Building Announced
Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) is pleased to announce that plans are moving forward to make use of the Caplan’s building to better serve the community.
The organization purchased the Caplan’s building in October 2021, and since that time, NCHC has been considering the best way to utilize the building as part of its efforts to help build thriving and healthy communities. That plan has now been formed.
NCHC, following the appropriate town and state permitting processes, will relocate the Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury practice from its current location, on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Railroad Street, to the Caplan’s Building. In addition, a portion of the building will be renovated for future community use.
Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury opened in November 2020, through a partnership with NCHC and NVRH. The number of patients seeking walk-in care at the location has increased, and a new space is needed to meet the demand for services now and in the future.
“Caplan’s is an ideal space for Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury,” said Dan Sherman, NCHC Director of Primary Care. “Being downtown provides a convenient walk-in option for people seeking care. The Caplan’s building allows us to stay downtown and provides the additional space needed to continue providing high-quality care, with an improved patient and staff experience.”
“Vermont’s downtowns are special, and we are thrilled that the Caplan’s building will serve St. Johnsbury for years to come,” said Michael Costa, NCHC CEO. “We are grateful to play a small part in the efforts already underway to make sure downtown St. Johnsbury is a vibrant destination for our residents and visitors alike.”
NCHC plans to incorporate the building’s history in the redesign, and will also permanently recognize and remember Gary Ely as part of this project.
Beyond medical space, the building will retain some space for future community needs.
“We want to learn and grow with our community, and keeping some of the building open provides us with a platform to collaborate with our community,” said Chris Towne, NCHC Chief Strategy Officer. “We plan to convene a small group to explore other community-focused initiatives for approximately 900 square feet of the renovated space.”
NCHC is currently finalizing the design and engineering for the building and will then work through the necessary permitting steps. Northern Express Care – St. Johnsbury will open in the new location during the summer of 2023.
