As is true of many American small towns, many village merchants along with new businesses have since relocated to the new highway.

His father Franc Zupančič was a wealthy village merchant, his mother Ana Malić was of Croatian origin.

"I think that people would rather go shopping in their own backyard," said Ray Merelas, one of five new village merchants.

The donkey belonged to the village merchant, and it was a stubborn beast that always tried to throw off its riders.

In this film, he stars as Masamitsu Arima, the father of Sayo and a rich village merchant.

It's nothing much; only that I'd ordered some... some"-he thought frantically, trying to remember the name of one of the village merchants-"some tobacco, from Mr. Buchan in the High Street.

At least one village merchant was unmoved by the announcement.

Ms. Iuto, owner of a Main Street gallery that sells jewelry, said last week that many village merchants favor the Concours d'Elegance, as she does.

Sure, there are many in this ferociously anti-development county who will protest a proposed Home Depot a few miles away, which might increase traffic or threaten village merchants.

"People here are very careful to support the village merchants," said Mr. Peck, who has run the store with his wife, Lori, for 18 years.