50th Customer Appreciation Day

On Saturday, September 17, 2024, approximately 400 people stopped by to help celebrate our 50th Customer Appreciation Day and enjoy free food, beverages, drawings, and conversations on a beautiful sunny day. Extra parking was provided by Our Lady of the Lake Parish across the street from the store.

WOKO broadcast live from the event and announced the winners of the drawings throughout the day, volunteers grilled dogs and burgers, and donations were collected for the South Hero Fire Department and matched by KBV.

A special thank you goes to our valued vendors who donated food, beverages, and giveaways, without which the event would not be possible. They include Baker Distributing, Blue Paddle Bistro, Calmont Beverage, Citgo, Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse & Perennial Far, Davis Family Deli Provisions, Dreamwalker Farm, Farrell Distributing, Frito-Lay, Health Hero Farm, Hibbert & McGee Wholesalers, Hog Island Wholesale Bait & Tackle, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Mill River Brewing, BBQ & Smokehouse, Red Bull Energy Drinks, and the Vermont Lottery.

This event gave KBV a chance to show their appreciation to the community for all their support over the past 50 years. Thanks for coming out!

Did You Know?

Since opening Keeler’s Bay Variety Store in 1974, KBV has sold the following quantities.

Gallons of Milk: 365,000
Steaks: 550,000
Loaves of Bread: 2.6 million
Gallons of Maple Syrup: 37,500
Grinders: 2.6 million
Pints of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream: 1.2 million
Chocolate Bars: 1.8 million
Cups of Coffee: 54,750,000
Cans of Soda: 18, 250,000
6-Packs of Beer: 13 million
Fishing Licenses: 11, 250
Worms: 5.4 million

James Boyd, a longtime friend of the Horne family and owner of Champlain Islands Magical Boat Tours created this video, “Did You Find Everything You Were Looking For” as a gift and tribute to the family’s decades of hard work.

Left to Right: Lindsey Merrill, Rich Goggin, Gail Horne, Matthew Reed, Patrick Robinson, Wayne Tyrell.

During the month of September donations were collected in the store and at the event to benefit the South Hero Volunteer Fire Department. KBV matched the donations and on October 16, 2024, Gail presented the fire department with a check for $3090.46!!

We hope you enjoy these photos taken at Customer Appreciation Day of Mark and Gail seated with their children and with their grandchildren, and customers mingling with the staff while enjoying the activities. The bulk of the photos were taken by Jeannette Horne Lloyd.

Jeannette, Vanessa, Gail and Mark with Mark's uncle Jacques Trahan.

Mark's uncle Jacques Trahan with Gail and Jeannette

There were a variety of items donated by our vendors for prize drawings during Customer Appreciation Day event. Special thanks go to businesses that donated the gifts and kudos to those who were lucky enough to win them!

Bikes:
Baker Distributing: Chris L
Farrell Distributing: Jeri B

From Citgo:
Blue Tooth speaker: Miles D
Clip Buddies: Tyler B
Gas gift cards: Anne Q,Jamie S, Sue S, Kit D, Anne M, Carol T, Tom D, Jackie T, Winnie P
Yeti cooler: James B

Sam Adams: Cooler: Ellen H

From the Vermont Lottery:
Tote: Tiffany M
Duffle Bag: Carly S
Backpack: Colleen B
Power bank: Leslie D
Yeti Coffee mugs: Mary F, Julie D

Lake Champlain Chocolates: Chocolates : Linda F

Jessica Remmey: Note cards: Mona

Gift Cards:
Blue Paddle Bistro: Linda P
Claussen’s Florist: Jessica R, and Dottie M
Dreamwalker Farm: Judy D
Mill River Brewing: Tag T, and Gina M
Two Heroes Brewery: Jessica H, and Michael C.