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!