At nearly 100 years old, the Burlington-Winooski Bridge will be replaced — construction is anticipated to start in 2027. Perched next to the bridge that connects the two towns is a historic brick building that has served many purposes since the 1800s: a blacksmith shop, a grocery and a secondhand store. For decades, 495 Colchester Avenue was also the Boyajians’ family home.
Sarkis Boyajian fled the Armenian genocide and came to Burlington to work in the textile mills. He bought the brick building in 1922 and was later joined by his wife, Paris, who was orphaned at age 12 during the genocide. In 1927, floods devastated the state and washed out the existing bridge. When a new bridge was built in 1928, it was higher than the old one, and the street and sidewalk had to be raised to meet it. The first floor of the Boyajians’ home was buried and became a second basement.
Three Boyajian siblings were born and raised in this home: Edward, who died in 2009; Steve, who is 92; and Lucy, who is 85. The family sold the house in 1986, and the building underwent an extensive restoration 10 years ago. Randall and Kathleen Brisson, the current owners, jacked up the structure 10 feet to repair its rotting foundation, added a new floor and returned the building to its pre-1927 position. The upper floors are now rental units; the bottom levels are occupied by the Boardroom café and retail store.
In the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger met with Lucy and Steve in their former home to hear their memories of living in this historic space.
She spoke about filming the episode.
How did you learn about the Boyajians?
I was working in my front yard one afternoon when Steve drove by. He was visiting his old neighborhood, and we started chatting. I later met up with him and Lucy and learned a lot about their Armenian heritage.
Lucy recalled that the home felt like a “Little Armenia” — the family preserved the country’s food, culture and language. Steve, who is almost as old as the bridge that he grew up beside, said the family was “pretty much shunned” in their Ward 1 neighborhood. No one could pronounce their last name, and Armenia was never mentioned in school. Many immigrants moved to the area to work in the mills, but Armenians were in the minority.
Steve is almost as old as the bridge that he grew up beside.
Nevertheless, Lucy said their parents often expressed gratitude to the United States and treasured their freedom here.
Where did you find the historic photos used in your video?
Many of these photos were taken by the late Louis L. McAllister, who ran a Burlington-area photography business until his death in 1963, and are used with permission from the University of Vermont’s Special Collections. We are lucky this bridge has been so well documented over the years — especially before and after the flood — and that the Boyajians happened to live next to this important landmark. ➆
This article appears in June 17 • 2026.
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