The 120-year-old facility at 2 Pine St. in Rutland will reopen as a sap bucket factory and maple equipment dealership.

“I cannot wait to put out a lighted sign that says ‘FRESH BUCKETS FOR SALE,’” Bissell told Maple News. Bissell is from Jefferson, Ohio. “The first time I walked through the G.H. Grimm building, I knew it was special. This will be great for maple producers in the community and region.”

“All of the equipment to make sap buckets is still in the building,” he said.

The building was owned by Leader Evaporator Co. until it closed in 2020. It was later purchased by Tom Gadhue and Andy Paluch, who made code improvements to the facility.

Bissell has now acquired the property and plans to produce 20,000 stainless steel buckets annually.

He also intends to use the site as a bulk syrup buying station and will host a buying day April 11 and April 18. Talks are underway to bring former employees back to the building, he said.

The G.H. Grimm Co. was originally founded in Hudson, Ohio, before relocating to Vermont in the early 20th century. Bissell said the Ohio connection adds to the significance of the project, marking a new chapter for a building long valued by the region’s sugarmakers.

Meanwhile, Bissell Maple Farms will host syrup “buy days” April 11 and April 18 at the G.H. Grimm building, 2 Pine St., from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Sugarmakers are encouraged to bring bulk syrup and will be “paid on the barrelhead.” All grades are wanted, including commercial.

For more information, call 724-866-5874.