So our blog has been rather quiet recently, as we have taken some time off for the holidays.  But in doing our holiday shopping, we made a trip up to the Vermont Country Store and thought we would share our experience to get back in the swing of things!

The Vermont Country Store is a popular attraction in Southern Vermont with stores in Weston, VT and Rockingham, VT, both just a short drive from Forty Putney Road and Brattleboro.  Many of you may already be familiar with the Vermont Country Store through their catalog and Internet sales.  But to fully appreciate this piece of Vermont’s history you really need to go to one of their stores.

The Vermont Country Store was founded in 1945, yes over 60 years ago, by Vrest and Ellen Orton.  Vrest and Ellen created a 12 page catalog with 36 high quality and practical items in it and mail it out to everyone on their Christmas list.  Word began to spread and In just one year they had a booming mail order business.  In 1946 they opened their first store in Weston, VT which is still open today for your shopping needs.  Today both stores are owned by 3rd and 4th generation Orton’s…Lyman, Eliot, Gardner and Cabot.

The Vermont Country Store is still stocked with high quality and practical items.  All of the best Vermont Cheeses, preserves, Vermont Maple Syrup, penny candy, warm cloths, hats, etc.   This new generation of Orton’s have taken things one step further by finding unique and nostalgic products.  Eliot Orton says it best “We still find products that aren’t sold any where else.”

Unique would certainly define the “Attitude Adjuster” or perhaps one of several models of moose hats.  But its the nostalgic toys from my childhood that really brought me back.  They sell real easy bake ovens (that’s right with the 25 watt light bulb to cook your sweets).  Rockem Sockem Robots, Monkey’s in a barrel, the rubix cube just to name a few.  There are also the products that have fallen out of products and the Orton family has purchased the patent and began producing it themselves.  My favorite example is Lifeboy Soap.  You may remember this soap from the popular Christmas movie, A Christmas Story.  This is the brand of soap Ralphy’s mother used to wash out his mouth when she thought she caught him using inappropriate language.   Pick some up and relive the moment (we picked some up for our brother in law, who recently had his first child and loooves the Christmas Story movie!).

During your next visit to our inn be sure to take the 30 minute drive to The Vermont Store in Rockingham, VT or the slightly longer drive to the original store in Weston, VT.  No matter which one you choose you are sure to discover something you have never seen before, and something you haven’t seen in forever…

The Vermont Country Store directions and details can be found on their website.

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.