Routine smuggling

These frequent trips back and forth between Sutton and Richford made it easy for goods to be smuggled in. Shopping in Richford was part of everyday life, recalls Louise Harpin, who was born and raised in Abercorn.

The IGA supermarket at left was ideally situated on a commercial street in Richford.

The IGA supermarket in Richford usually had better prices than in Sutton, which explains the size of its Sutton clientele.

With its wood stove in the centre of the room, its well-stocked shelves and its corner table and chairs to chat, McMurphy's General Store in Richford was an inviting place to drop by.

The cozy interior of McMurphy’s General Store in Richford, where you could stop to warm up in winter.

Louise Harpin and Jennie Bird discuss shopping in Vermont (captions available in both English and French). View the video with an English transcript.

This routine smuggling proved exciting at times, but it could also be hard on the nerves, as pointed out by the Potvin sisters: Denise, Marielle and Georgette, who were raised on a farm beside the border.

Georgette and Denise Potvin discuss their concern about crossing the border (captions available in both English and French). View the video with an English transcript.

Marielle and Georgette Potvin tell us about their shopping trips to Vermont (captions available in both English and French). View the video with an English transcript.

Georgette, Denise and Thérèse Potvin discuss the legality of smuggling (captions available in both English and French). View the video with an English transcript.

The appeal of Richford Keep your eyes peeled … stay alert!