One of my goals this year is to get the photos on my phone down to 1,000 or less and well, I’ve been meaning to tell you about one of the places we visited, The Vermont Country Store in Bellow’s Falls Vermont.
I’m not even sure how we ended up in Bellow’s Falls, Vermont on the day that we did, but I remember driving past The Vermont Country Store and shouting at the HH to PULL OVER so I could take a look and find out what was inside.
I LOVE country stores, and there are so many of them here in New England that when I see one, I just have to check it out and see what’s inside.
When I think of country stores I think of porches and benches and old guys sitting around out front waiting for their wives who are inside looking around. 😉 This one did not disappoint, that’s for sure.
Whao Nellie!
The Vermont Country store was like no other “country store” I had been in here in New England and there was so much to look at, that we were actually there for about an hour. It was nuts.
The first of the Vermont Country Stores {there are 2} was opened in “1942 by Vrest and Ellen Orton in the quaint village of Weston, Vermont. Vrest was inspired by childhood memories of his father’s general store in North Calais, Vermont.
The Weston store became the first restored rural general store in the nation. Vrest Orton said: “I can still recall my father’s store, where most of the men came in the evenings to wait for the horse-drawn stage that brought the mail from Montpelier, 13 miles away.”
And while things have changed quite a bit since 1942 {just look at all those soaps and lotions!} the stores are still in the family and over the years has expanded to having a catalog and online presence as well.
Has anyone tried pine soap before?
Actual penny candy!! When was the last time you saw that?
And homemade fudge!
There’s a toy section {it’s huge!}.
They offer everything from rubber chickens to butter churners to a seriously large selection of pajamas.
And there are plenty of foodstuffs too!
We tried the Snappy Ginger cookies and they were fantastic.
Talk about super cute labels.
But the best part of the visit to the store for us, was buying one of their snack bags for the trip home.
A little peperoni, some cheese and a few crackers? What could be better on a road trip that that?
The Vermont Country Store, we were impressed. I only wish we lived a little closer so we could visit more often. The Girl and I are planning a trip to Vermont this winter though, so we’ll be back. 🙂
Have you been to Vermont? Do you have any favorite stores or places of interest you think we should know about? We’d love to hear about them.
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
The Vermont Country Store
1292 Rockingham Road
Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101
and
The Vermont Country Store
657 Main Street
Weston, Vermont 05161
Mary says
Last week to celebrate our 35th anniversary, we went to 5 corners antiques in Essex, then drove route 15 to see the Snowflake Bentley exhibit at the Red Mill in Jericho. Had lunch at the Jericho tavern, it was lovely and delicious, then drove route 15 back to the Northeast Kingdom. A great local field trip! I did not grow up in Vermont, my husband did, but it is a beautiful, peaceful state!
JoAnn Moran says
I’ve been to New Hampshire and Maine, but not Vermont. I would love to visit. The duvet cover on my bed is from The Vermont Country store. I have quite a few things from them and all are excellent quality. I’m a little jealous. Thanks for the pictures and description of the store. It made me crave clam chowder. I think that’s on the menu for next week now.
BethC says
I have been to the Weston store and have gotten their catalog for years. I sent my Mom one of their table top Christmas trees last year and this year. She is in a nursing home. I got to see it this year. It was beautiful! If you call in to place an order, they play fun commercials from the 1960s. Their customer service agents are pleasant and kind. Love the Vermont Country Store!
Robin in WII says
Oh, my gosh — one of the most enchanting general stores I’ve seen in photos! If we lived in Vermont I’d be a regular customer. Bookmarking this!
Lana says
Mast General Store in western SC and NC looks almost identical. We love poking around in there.
Jennifer says
I was thinking the exact same thing!!
Love Mast General!
Patti Vanderbloemen says
So jealous! I have been shopping their catalog for YEARS!!
Diana says
I have bought things from their catalog for many years. We always buy our pajamas from them. They have really soft cotton nightgowns that I love!
Jennifer B says
I have a similar story – spending a few days in Vermont after dropping my kid off for college in Boston and my husband drives right by without stopping. I had to shout at him to turn around because we _were_ going to experience the Vermont Country Store in person. He got to have an ice cream for his patience, and I think that made up for it! I could have spent much more time and money there, and I’d love to go back.
Diana says
I second all the comments. I have gotten their catalog for years and love their merchandise. I am jealous because I haven’t gotten to visit one of their stores yet! This and King Arthur Flour store are on my bucket list…so that means a trip to Vermont!
Mavis Butterfield says
The King Arthur Flour store is a treat! Go hungry. 🙂
Mary says
I bought half of my Christmas presents from their online shop this year!
Joely says
I love their catalog. Thanks for sharing all of the photos of the store! What a treat!!
cathy says
We have been to F.H. Gillingham and sons in Woodstock Vt. One of my favorite Vermont towns. It is not far from King Arthur Flour another great stop but I see you have been there.
Margo says
I am so lucky to live in Vermont, not far from King Arthur Flour. Also not far from Dan & Whit’s, our own general store, whose motto is, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” Dan & Whit’s was recently featured in a Steve Hartman ‘On the Road’ segment on CBS. Here’s the link to that story:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-hartman-on-the-road-vermont-general-store-dan-and-whits/
Dianne says
I recognized the store when I saw the beach cover-ups on the left. I love to wear them around the house when it is hot in the summer.
So comfortable. I love their throwbacks in the catalog as well.
Nice store.
Mable says
I have always wanted to go there! I order from them all the time. They have great customer service.
Deb says
I have shopped via catalog from the Vermont Country Store for many, many years. They have absolute quality merchandise, some of which is very difficult to find anywhere else. It’s an amazing company with great customer service.
DebbieB says
I went to the one in Weston when we visited Vermont a few years ago. I had gotten their paper catalogs for years so it was on my bucket list. I loved it but the BF wouldn’t come in at first and sat on the porch with a bunch of men waiting for their ladies to shop. He said he had a great time lol. I did finally convince him to come in when I told him they had candy. We also went to F. H. Gillingham in Woodstock, another cool store.
Day by day says
We stop there every trip to VT….for the pickles! They used to be in a big barrel but now in wraps. They are the.best! I love that store!
Anna says
I’ve never been to Vermont (PNW native), but its been on my radar as a state I’d like to visit because a gal I know grew up there and really talked it up before moving back. I just took a quiz that the NY Times published called ‘Where Should You Live?’ with all the data points that are most important to you. My top ten included mostly Vermont towns with a dash of Maine. Looks like I need to pay New England a little visit. 🙂
Cheryl says
I love Vermont and the Vermont Country Store! Some of my brothers and sisters and our spouses used to make a fall trip every year just to be leaf peepers. If I’m not mistaken, we stayed a few times at a place called The Hogpenny Inn. Beautiful state!
Lisa Millar says
What a gorgeous shop!
I especially love the old furnishings and display units!
I can see why you were there so long! A feast for the eyes at the very least!
Jen says
Stumbled upon the one in Weston this past summer! I had the same reaction!! I was taking a baking class at King Arthur. Another place you MUST visit! Also—take a weekend trip to Burlington—a great little city!!!
Lori King says
Oh my goodness, there is an actual store! I have been shopping online for years with them. They have great sheets and blankets as well as nice clothes! This was so cool to see inside their store.
Mary says
I have to add another comment about the wonderful family that runs The Vermont Country store – years ago when I was teaching I applied for and received a Community Mapping grant through the Orton Family Foundation. What a wonderful way to give back to Vermont – I received training at Colby College, Arc View and Adobe software, GPS units and my students completed wonderful projects while learning about their community. One of the highlights of my 34 years of teaching!