Mill to Mall: People, Places, and Stories

During its years as a shopping center, the Champlain Mill was an integral part of the local community and its economy. Featured here are some of the many individuals and businesses that contributed to the mall’s success.

Carroll Reed, Caribbean Corner, Norway Design
Paper Peddler, Betsys, The Coat Gallery
Interior Innovations, Holiday Celebrations, Ray Pecor
Yankee Pride, Chessy’s Frozen Custard, Waterworks

 
 

The Burlington Free Press, Nov 27 1998.

Paper Peddler

 

Located on the Ramp Level from 1981 to 2001, Paper Peddler sold greeting cards, stickers, memo pads, boxed cards, pens and pencils, wedding and party invitations, journals, gift wrap and gift bags, fine stationery, t-shirts, and novelty items. For several years, customers could also purchase themed balloon gift packages, delivered in costume.

Paper Peddler was established in 1981 by Dina and Fred Childs and Kathy O’Connell. In 1990, the partners sold Paper Peddler to Kurt and Lesley Lewis, who operated it from the Mill through 2001, when they moved it to Williston. The store closed its doors for good in 2018.

“I really miss the Paper Peddler! I used to get the craziest Christmas pins that lit up. My favorite was Bah Humsh*t and it lit up!! I bought boxes and paper and ribbon. All kinds of things for gifts.” - Cheryle A.

 

Betsy’s

Chef Betsy Rollason ran a successful delicatessen, catering business, and gourmet food store in the Champlain Mill from 1981 to 2000. Betsy’s was located on the River Level for all but the last few years of its operation, when it moved upstairs to the Ramp Level. Betsy served sandwiches on homemade bread, salads, soups, chili, and dessert squares to go, and she also sold prepared entrees, pies, and wines for customers’ dinner parties. Her Caesar salad, turkey, swiss & bacon and ham sandwich, and cheddar, and chutney sandwich were legendary.

“Betsy’s had my favorite pasta salad: linguine with peas, pepperoni, purple onion, mozzarella cheese, and mayonnaise.” – Charlotte S.”

“It was a special treat to have lunch from Betsy’s”. - Christine Q.

The Burlington Free Press, Nov 25, 1983.

The Coat Gallery

Mimi Kellner, co-owner of The Coat Gallery, assisting a customer on opening day, 1981. Courtesy of Mimi Kellner.

The Coat Gallery sold quality men’s and women’s outerwear, including wool, cashmere, and camel hair coats, mittens, scarves, gloves, hats, and handbags. The small, family-run business was founded in 1981 by Mimi and Chuck Kellner and Julie and Bob Rinkema, sisters and brothers-in-law. Mimi remembers the Mill as a bustling place with a “fun, friendly, lively, and warm” atmosphere. The Kellners sold their interest in the store in 1994. Bob Rinkema, his daughter Emily, and his second wife Allegra Miller ran the business until it closed four years later.