they are a piece of amare kana. >> they are all fun to walk into and explore. >> the vermont country store. most were built in the 1800s when industry made its way up to the mountains. they sold all the necessities to those living in the country. >> when this store was built, there were no cars. >> because it's a rural place, this store is the heart of the town. it's where people come together. >> today, their numbers are dwindling. >> two or three within miles of me have shut down. they are lost. they are gone. it's too late to try to reopen them. they have become something else. >> they are facing competition from minimarts and box stores that have the purchasing power to demand lower prices. the country stores with small sales volume don't have that. >> profitibility is the biggest threat. we make our money a nickel at a time. we make a nickel on a gallon of gas and a lottery ticket. the nickels are getting squeezed tighter and tighter. >> they aren't in it to make millions. they do their jobs to preserve history and provide a service to people living in the rural areas around the