For 225 years, the Round Hill Store has been a familiar landmark and gathering place for generations of Round Hill residents and neighbors. Established in 1801, it is believed to be the oldest continuously operating retail business in Connecticut. Remarkably, during its long history, the store has had only three ownership groups. On August 26, 2026, that changed when the Round Hill Store and Service Station were transferred to their fourth owners, Chuck Royce and family, and the Brumberg family, all local residents, who have taken ownership of the property under the name of the Round Hill Preservation Society.
The store was originally located on the southwest corner of Round Hill and Old Mill roads, facing east. It served as a stagecoach stop and, from 1830 to 1901, as the local post office. The building was later moved across the street to its present location, where it faces west.
A fascinating record of the store’s history can still be found in its archives. Handwritten bookkeeping journals dating as far back as 1861, during the Civil War, document the household accounts of local customers, including their names, the goods they purchased and the prices they paid, a remarkable glimpse into everyday life in Round Hill more than 160 years ago.
In 1915, William Strain purchased the store, beginning 111 years of ownership and operation by four generations of the Strain family. As times changed and automobiles became part of everyday life, the Round Hill Service Station was added, along with an oil delivery business.
Most recently, the property, including the store and service station, was owned by five sisters who are the great-granddaughters of William Strain. The two businesses continue to operate separately: Robin Strain Vanacore runs the store, while Sandy Strain Regan and her brother-in-law, John Wood, run the service station.
For those who live in backcountry Greenwich, however, the Round Hill Store and Service Station have always been about more than groceries, coffee, sandwiches, gasoline and car repairs. Both are neighborhood gathering places; somewhere to run into a friend, catch up on local news and stay connected to the activities and concerns of the community.
The store welcomes a wonderful cross-section of Round Hill life each day: landscapers and tradespeople stopping for coffee or something from the deli, neighbors picking up household necessities, bicyclists taking a break and visitors passing through. It is the kind of place where familiar faces are part of the experience.
The service station has developed an equally loyal following. Its customers bring an assortment of vehicles, foreign and domestic, vintage and new. They rely on the station for everything from routine maintenance to difficult repairs. Over the years, customers have come to appreciate not only the expertise but also the personal service and friendly welcome.
Now, after 111 years in the Strain family, a new chapter is beginning.
Chuck Royce and the Brumberg family, who are raising their family in the neighborhood, are well known throughout Greenwich, as long-term supporters of local charities. Chuck’s business ventures have reflected a longstanding interest in serving and strengthening communities, and he and Ryan both have expressed their intention to bring that same philosophy to the Round Hill property.
For the immediate future, they plan to continue the existing operations of both the store and service station while taking time to consider what the future might look like. When asked about the plans for the store and station Royce said, “I want to hear from the community about what they want, what they need and what will work best for them”. Added Brumberg, “It is important that we do our best to continue operations and build upon what the Strain family has stewarded for generations.”
For longtime residents, the change in ownership is certainly the end of an extraordinary era. Four generations of the Strain family have helped make this historic crossroads a special part of life in Round Hill. At the same time, there is something reassuring in knowing that the property is passing to local residents who appreciate its importance to the community.
After 225 years, the Round Hill Store and Service Station remain more than businesses. They are part of the history, character and everyday life of backcountry Greenwich, and now, another chapter in that long history is about to begin. Said Robin Vanacore, “After having served the Round Hill community for over one century it is bittersweet for the Strain heirs to bestow this corner treasure to another lover of this historic property. We are thrilled that the Round Hill Preservation Society will be the new stewards of this significant location, a Round Hill landmark since 1801. The store will continue to operate under its current management and we look forward to continuing our community relationship.”
“As we express our heartfelt appreciation for the generations of care and dedication that have sustained the Round Hill Store, we welcome its next chapter with great enthusiasm and excitement for what lies ahead,” said Brendon DeSimone, President of the Round Hill Association, a local neighborhood group founded in 1942.
