Vermont Christmas 2012

Vermont Christmas 2012, a set on Flickr.

Vermont Country Store

I am committed to highlighting a small business of the day but frankly, it is hard to keep up.  In the New Year I think one of my resolutions will be to blog 2x a month.  I should be able to manage that.  Time just passes so quickly.  I spent some time in Vermont over the holidays.  As you might imagine it was a terrible time. :-) Really, it was great.  Lots of down time, some holiday cheer with family and friends, snowshoeing, and some shopping.  

On the way in I stopped at the Vermont Country store (exit 6 of 91 North towards Chester) because I wanted to pick up some cheese they sold.  It was a Naked Cheddar and thought it would be a great addition to a cheese plate. The Vermont Country Store is run by the Orton Family and was originally a catalog started in 1945, with their first store opening in 1946.  It is also one of my favorite stores to poke around in.  They call themselves "purveyors of practical and hard-to-find products."  If you are looking for Turkish Taffy, flannel PJ's or a bottle of Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific.... Well you will find it at the Vermont Country store.  They have everything you could imagine and yet nothing ordinary.  Lots of games, toys, outdoor gear, wool socks, hats, mittens,  and a whole section dedicated to penny candy.  Another section dedicated to toiletries you probably were not sure they even made any more but glad to find a few. They sell bedding and clothes, sleds and rockers, and they have a food section where you can taste salamis, cheeses, cookies, sweet and savory dips galore.  It could be your lunch stop there is so much to taste.  They have 2 shops and I went to the other shop in Vermont Route 100 in Westin just yesterday.  It’s slightly larger and has a restaurant - which I am told is excellent.  I wasted my appetite on the cheese section.  It’s difficult to leave without picking up a little treasure weather its cheese, maple syrup, maple candy, or a great winter hat. In any case it’s a great stop on your way in or out of Vermont or just on a day of rest from skiing or to just get out of the house...

Another great stop I found is Gillingham's & Sons in Woodstock Vermont, it is a similar store but really it’s much more like a general store.  Woodstock Vermont is a quintessential New England town.  And Gillingham's seems to be the place to go to get anything.  In operations since 1886, at Gillingham's you can find Vermont Maple Syrup, a variety of Maple products, Vermont cheese, housewares, hardware, sporting and fly fishing supplies, and great wines & lots of beers. 

So check them both out, two great businesses that really illustrate the charm, service and customer appreciation that you won’t likely get at your big box stores...  SO if you are in Vermont check them out its worth the effort.  If you aren't is there a general store near you?  I would love to hear about it!

Farmers Markets Not Just a Summer Activity

One of my favorite summer activities is going to the farmers market.  You have to be an early riser to get the good stuff.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are the summers bounty!  But farmers markets are not only fruit and veg, they now sell flowers, cheese, meat and a variety of hand crafts... The community comes together once a week in the summer.  Then September/October hits and we head back to our houses to hibernate for the winter.  But folks that doesn't have to be the case.   I recently found out that one of my local farmers markets moves inside for the winter and has a winter market from November to February.  I am heading over to Coventry High this Sunday to check it out.

The rise of the local farmer is abound.  An industry that I once worried would be consolidated into corporate farming is coming back.  Not only is it a great way to buy local but it has great health benefits too!  In some communities you don't even have to go to the farmers market.  Many farms have stands and year round stores.  There are also subscription services.  You sign up and every week/month you get a basket of fruit and veg.  You get what you get and you don't get upset.  So its not for someone not interested in trying new things but I have some friends that have used it and it really had opened them up and their kids get excited about it too.  Sometimes these subscriptions are called CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and are a way to support our farmers in their growing all year long.  Its also not just about fruit and veg.  You can buy eggs, and meat too.  At one farm you could by a half share and get 2 dozen eggs and 10 pounds of chicken a month for six months for just over $300.  It also included a turkey for thanksgiving.  All fresh and certified organic.  I think that is pretty inexpensive...

So if your not the outdoorsy type and don't see yourself ever interested in visiting a farm or farmers markets.  Your local and national grocery stores generally have a variety of local grown produce - so no excuses - check it out!

Coventry Farmers Market Info:
http://coventryfarmersmarket.com/winter-market/

Connecticut Community Supported Agriculture
http://www.ctnofa.org/CSAs.htm

Local Harvest is a website that may be able to direct you to resources in your area.  They have a lot of information and were very helpful when writing this blog.
http://www.localharvest.org/

SBOD - JousJous.com

It's Monday and I am trying to be more consistent.  Today's Small Business of the Day is JousJous. They don't have a store front. They largely sell online at www.jousjous.com.   This is important because small businesses are not just in your local community but they are also online and support communities across the country.  Full disclosure - one of my friends is an owner in Jousjous.  She and a few grad school friends started Jousjous in honor/memory of their friend and a portion of all the sales are donated to earlier.com (an organization dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer).  So its not just a small company, it's also a company that cares.  The best part of Jousjous is their product line - which is a colorful array of accessories. Jewelry, scarves, headbands, etc.  I have bought a few gifts over the years and people always love them because they are unique pieces you won't see everywhere.  Today I went online and bought my niece her Christmas present. I looked high and low for a unique leather wrap bracelet and really came up empty. I checked out Jousjous at their amazon.com store and found the perfect gift.  Not only are they great pieces but they come in beautiful boxes.  I cant wait for my next purchase and I am really hoping its for me and not someone else.  So this holiday season, if you are looking for a great gift check them out!

Small Business of the day - the cosmic omelet

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. All week it is all about oatmeal, or yogurt, fruit, bran cereal. You got the idea- it's the healthy stuff. Well for me on the weekends there is nothing better
than going out to breakfast. And there are few better small businesses than your local diner or breakfast joint. In Manchester Connecticut one of my go to favs is the Cosmic Omelet on Hartford Road @ McKee. If you like omelets they have a huge selection of inspired/unusual and its their specialty. I go for their egg in a basket which we used to call egg-in-a-whole-in-the bread.... So good! Generally busy but worth it.. Some if my other fav breakfast spots are the Brass Key (also in Manchester). Jack's Outback II in Yarmouth Mass - Cape Cod. The Virginian in Jackson Hole WY. In San Francisco it's all about dim sum - and my family's fav is Ton Kiang on Geary in the outer Richmond. So this month get your pre-shopping fuel in by visiting your favorite family owned breakfast spot. What are your favorite spots where you live?