Memories submitted as part of the 70th Anniversary Exhibit
“I grew up in Norwich and worked the cash register and produce aisle in the late 70’s. When my parents had to leave Norwich after 50 years due to my Mom’s health, George sent them postcards—just to let them know they were remembered and still part of the community.” A.V.
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“In 1982, I moved to Norwich. I went to set up an account at Dan & Whit’s. They asked me which house I had purchased. When I told them the seller’s name, I got an account based on their being good customers. Wish they had sent the Cooper’s my bill.” B.L.
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“My son had a gluten allergy when he was little & wanted to start a business baking & selling gluten-free treats. I took him to D&W’s to explain what treats were available & Dan stopped to talk to us & Alexander –probably 10 at the time—told Dan his idea. Dan immediately jumped in “You can sell them here!” He told Alexander what he would need to think about packaging, labeling, refreshing stock & told him to come by when he had his plan together. “Darn tootin, No Gluten” bakery never actually debuted but I’ll never forget Dan’s kindness in inspiring a child to dream!”
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“In 1989 I was hiking in the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. We had been out on the trail for 2 weeks already. We came across a pair of hikers going the opposite direction—one of whom was wearing a famous hat: “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” A bit of home found in the mountains. “R.P.
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“Dan & Whit’s is my favorite place to bring out of town visitors. They marvel how it just goes on & on & usually buy something they didn’t know they needed.” F.A.
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“One time I was making my 3rd trip to Dan & Whit’s in a single day. Dan Sr. greeted me at checkout: “You’ve been readin’ your Bible. I can tell!” “Yup. Says right there in the Bible: I need thee every hour!” J.P.
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When I first moved into a rental place in Norwich village in 1983 I needed to hook up my woodstove. Where could I go for stovepipe? And on a Sunday? Well, I walked over to Dan & Whit’s and found exactly what I needed for stove pipe, and my friends and I were good to go– A.
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“I enjoyed working as a cashier for a while as well as in the deli. It felt like family.” J.S.
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“When I met my husband-to-be, he bought me to his house in Norwich for a visit. Our first Norwich date was a tour of Dan & Whit’s. After we married and we got our account, I really felt like I had settled somewhere special especially when I signed that first receipt ….with my new name!” Sarah Rooker
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“I moved to Norwich from NYC in 1979 with my 6 month old son and 4 year old daughter who was going to be 5 soon. It was mud season and we were straight out of NYC and she got a birthday gift of “mud boots” from Dan & Whit’s. She loved them with her pretty little NYC dresses so she could go out and play.” D. L.
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“In 1971 I lived in the apartment across the road from D&W (now lawyers offices). Often we would sit down to eat and realize we needed something (milk, butter etc). We would leave the food on the table, walk across the street, buy what we needed and be back before the food was cold!” M.N.
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“I got a summer job at 15 working construction & my dad took me to D&W to buy a pair of steel-toed boots & we had to go up a pull-down ladder to get to the attic to find a pair of boots. They did their job.” S.K.
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“I walked into the back of DW and Ronnie “the paint guy” asked me “what can I do for you ma’am?” I said “Don’t call me ma’am Ronnie.” He said “What do you want me to call you?” I said think of a name and he said “How about wild thing?” If he only knew…” C.R.
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“It has always seemed like home at the store.” E.F.
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“We moved to Norwich in 1990. I had heard that one could charge stuff at Dan & Whit’s so shortly after arriving I went to the office and was greeted by Dan (“old Dan,” we now say for the sake of clarity). I said “How do I open a charge account?” Dan handed me a 3 x 5 card and said “Write your name and address on this card,” which I did. “Now what?” I asked. “That’s it, you can charge things. Just tell the person at the cash register your name.” No ID required. No deposit. No escrow account. No interest on unpaid charges. Memory of this interaction continues to inspire me to make me so happy that I live in Norwich. I was not used to that level of trust, having moved from the big city.” I also love the mutual respect, civility and sense of social responsibility that govern most interactions in this wonderful town. And for me, it all started with my opening a charge account at D&W.” K. P.
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A 1971 Welcome from Dan Fraser
We arrived in Norwich, and welcomed by Dan Fraser Sr. in an unexpected manner. Actually, we arrived and then left for a week-long visit to Maine. During that time our belongings arrived in a moving van and the movers refused to unload unless they were paid in cash up front. A new acquaintance of ours, but a long term resident of Norwich, approached Dan and told him our problem. Dan, who was known to be a tight fisted Scot, paid the movers on our behalf, even though he had never met or seen us, knowing that we would repay him when we returned. HOW’S THAT FOR A WELCOME!! Carolyn and Milton Frye
We Ain’t Sellin’! –submitted by Judy Pond
When I moved here in 1971, I soon realized that the very best thing about Norwich was Dan & Whit’s. How lucky I was to live just three miles from the friendliest and most thoroughly provisioned general store in the world!! They had everything you’d need, from fancy coffee to sewing notions to mortar mix. I had a very low-paying job and was building my own house on the cheap, but when I was short on cash my signature was good there for weeks on end. “Your credit’s good; we know where you live,” Dan explained. Most of all, I loved the friendliness, humor, the love both Dan and Whit had for this community.
But one afternoon in 1972 Whit took me aside and announced he was retiring and that they’d be selling the store. Dan just didn’t want to run it on his own. Horrors! I was devastated! Whit kept me posted over the following weeks as they sought a signing with the Red and White chain (I think it was), who would move the store to a new place on Route 5!!! A soulless, impersonal chain! And not in the heart of town! Norwich would never be the same.
The next day Whit took me aside again. He had good news. It seemed there was a young man who had chosen a career in the military, but after serving some years and then being assigned to Vietnam, he had decided that was enough. “His name’s George, he’s Dan’s son, he’s comin’ home to help his dad run the store, and WE AIN’T SELLIN’!”
Hallelujah!!!
Some months later a solid — and stolid — young man appeared at the checkout. “You must be GEORGE!” I said. He smiled and said a quiet “Yes, I am George.” And then the poor guy had to put up with a stupendous, breathtaking hug from me, whom he had never met. I hope he didn’t mind.
So thanks to George, we’ve been blessed by our wonderful store ever since.