It’s been a busy two years for Dennis Piper. He lost his job due to the pandemic, decided to open his own business, and attempted to lease three different locations in the Rutland area before he finally found a landlord who would follow through on a lease. He then set to work renovating the space to bring his business vision to life: a clean, welcoming environment where community members can find household goods at deep discounts.
“It wasn’t an easy road,” Piper said. “It took a lot of hard work and effort to get here.” But he wasn’t deterred by the obstacles he faced while getting his business off the ground because he believed in what he was doing.
Prior to opening Green Mountain Liquidation Center, Piper managed a rent-to-own company for 15 years. He saw firsthand how many people in his community struggled to purchase everyday items. “I absolutely love working with people, and I love doing good things for people who don’t have the best means,” he said.
Piper buys overstocks or returns from larger retailers, like Walmart, and offers them to his customers for up to 70 percent off what they would pay online. “His mission is to help people,” said Nancy Shuttleworth, an advisor with the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) who assisted Piper through the business start-up process. “A lot of people don’t want to go into the bigger stores; they don’t want a big shopping experience.”
Shuttleworth was impressed by Piper’s dedication to his business idea. “Dennis has incredible perseverance,” she said. “There were many challenges along the way, and Dennis’s positive attitude and work ethic is why he owns a business today.”
Piper credits his success in part to his partnership with the VtSBDC. “The VtSBDC has been amazing,” he said. “Their expertise and knowledgeable staff gave me all the tools I needed to get to this next stage of my life.”
Green Mountain Liquidation Center opened in December 2021. Right now Piper is focused on getting more people in the store and building a loyal customer base. “It’s about advertising and letting people know what we have to offer,” he said. The discount store is located in the former Rutland TV Services building on Strongs Avenue in Rutland, Vt. Although the store’s inventory changes from week to week, you’ll always find a deal. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. six days (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday) and closed Wednesdays. For info: 802-287-1198, greenmountainlc@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page.
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