We are happy to welcome the new Grafton Cheese Factory and country store here to Brattleboro.  As you would expect, this new state of the art facility has a viewing gallery where you can watch the process of cheese making through the large display window on the second floor.  What you may be surprised to find however is that the first floor is a wonderful place to literally get a taste of Vermont.  Not only will you find delicious Grafton Cheeses, you will also find about 60 other Vermont and Imported cheeses in a variety of styles.  Lactose intolerant?  No worries – Grafton Cheese Company is also fully stocked with other local and Vermont products.  You will find Mocha Joe’s Coffee, Side Hill Farms Jams, Vermont Smoke and Cure Meats, Maple Syrup and more Maple Syrup, Vermont Chocolates, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream…and more (and more and more).  My favorite part of course is the sample bar.  I love to sample good food before I purchase it.  One final unique touch, a wide selection of fine wines, displayed and organized by cheese pairings.  Educational and delicious!

For the kids and animal lovers of all ages out there you enjoy the Retreat Petting farm which is located just out front.  This is a must stop if you are visiting or driving through Brattleboro.  Conviniently located just around the corner from our Vermont Bed and Breakfast, on Route 30 opposite the Retreat Meadow.

Many of you may be familiar with some of the big name grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Some of you may not realize that those stores are based on a much older community based grocery store, the Cooperative. The Brattleboro Food Co-op began in 1975 as a small buying club. Today, the Co-op is a 16,000 square foot supermarket that is enjoyed by the Greater Brattleboro community. The Brattleboro Food Co-op is community owned and supports many Vermont and other local food producers. The Co-op is stocked with healthy foods at reasonable prices in a relaxed and friendly environment. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help shoppers in any way that they can. The Co-op is located in downtown Brattleboro, VT and a must stop if you are in the area. If you are not in need of groceries perhaps you will take advantage of the wonderful deli that you can eat in or take out for a picnic. Maybe you are looking for some Vermont cheese, beer or wine – you’ll find great selections of each at the co-op. The Brattleboro Food Co-op is the place to go for a taste of Vermont, second only to the breakfast you will receive at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast, of course.

What does the Brattleboro Food Co-op have to do with Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast? Well I am a working member of the Brattleboro Food Co-op which in addition to giving back to a great local place also gives us a 10% discount. Tim and I are very interested in supporting our local farmers and other producers and the co-op makes that easy to do. I love the fact that I am using locally made cheeses and locally grown produce at each breakfast. It is lots of fun trying interesting ingredients and unique juices for breakfast. We invite you to join us in supporting the Brattleboro Food Co-op and all of the people and producers that make it so special.

Other than the Putney Road Pub located right here at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast, the Flat Street Pub located on Flat Street in downtown Brattleboro is the hot spot to grab a drink. With 20 microbrewed beers on tap, a nice wine and cocktail list Flat Street Pub has a drink to suite everyone. My personal favorite is the BBC Drayman’s Porter, while Tim is a huge BBC Coffeehouse Porter fan.

Food, well that is another story. You should know that all food is prepared behind the bar in a toaster oven, on a panini maker or on a George Forman Grill. We highly recommend their cold appetizers such as the ploughmans platter. Right now though, I would not recommend Flat Street as a place to go to dinner, but more of a place to have drinks and a snack or appetizer. Of course, word is that that is soon to change and that the basement is currently being renovated into a second bar and a full service restaurant. I truly beleive that when this renovation is complete it will fill that much needed void here in Brattleboro – a place for a great beer selection and great casual dining together.

Flat Street Pub is the “Cheers” of Brattleboro. Locals and tourist alike can find a comfortable place to sit and great conversation here. Be sure to say hello to the great staff including bartenders Martha (shown in photo), Amy and Justin as well as server Hope. They will all take great care of you. If you are looking to strike up a conversation with one of the locals the best way to identify them is by their glass mug. Yes, Flat Street Pub has a mug club. In the last photo you will find a some of these mug club members.

So pull up a seat…let everyone know your name…at Flat Street!

So I took a trip up to Newfane, Vermont this Sunday to check out the Newfane Flea Market. This outdoor market is seasonal (open from May through October) and has a great range of vendor tables selling everything from antique tools and milk bottles to Continue Reading »