Featured image: The Vermont Country Store on Facebook.
In two quaint southern Vermont towns sits an oasis of gifts, knick-knacks, games, food, home items and all the things you never knew you needed to have. That’s right, we’re talking about the Vermont Country Store. With two locations in Weston and Rockingham Vermont, this Vermont staple is a must-stop during your visit to the Green Mountain State.
Before I moved to Vermont, I did not have a preference for maple syrup. I mean … just grab one of the bottles at the grocery store and you’re good to go, right? Well, the VT Country store takes maple syrup to another level, with a whole wall of different types of locally made syrup to choose from. Like a fine wine and steak, there are descriptions of what food the syrup pairs well with. Pour the golden syrup over ice cream, the amber is used best for cooking, and of course, their classic is well paired with pancakes.It’s every syrup lover’s dream.
My must-have item from the country store is the no-crack hand cream. If you have dry hands, especially in the winter, this is your solution. It comes in a soothing lavender scent, or a no-scent if you’re not into that kind of thing. It’s a bit more pricey than lotion you’d buy at your local drug store, but it’s worth it and lasts a long time. The beauty section will have you entertained for an hour – with everything from homemade soaps to mustache moisturizer.
The toy section blows Toys R’ Us out of the water. With classic toys like jack in the box, to 500-piece puzzles and adult coloring books, you’ll find everything for your gift list all year ’round.
You’ll find an abundance of Vermont-made clothing that you’re not likely to find anywhere else. One of my favorites is Soulmate Socks, locally made, warm and quirky unmatched pairs of socks and gloves who’s motto is “Life’s too Short for Matching Socks.”
Out of all of this, one of my favorite section of the store has to be the cheese and snacks department. There are samples of every type of cheese you can imagine, locally made jams and dips (you must try the cheesecake dip with a gingersnap cookie), homemade salsa and tortilla chips and much more.
These items don’t cover all this store has to offer, you really just have to visit for yourself! For more information on location and products, visit www.vermontcountrystore.com.
About the Author
Cassie Russo | Growing up in central Massachusetts, Cassie ventured to the snowy mountains of Vermont almost every weekend until her late teens to enjoy her passion – snowboarding. After working at a ski shop while studying for a degree in journalism, Cassie knew Vermont was her next destination. You can now find her living her dream of residing in Vermont, pursuing a writing career and strapping a snowboard to her feet every day. When the snow melts, you can find her on her paddle board, on the tennis courts and searching for the next adventure.
Cassie’s Instagram and Twitter:@cassachusetts