We saw the Adirondack chairs lining the road in front of Woodwares when we first arrived in Vermont…read morea few years ago. After visiting several other stores and looking on-line, we settled on buying our first set of summer furnishing from Drew primarily because of their willingness to deliver and get everything set up. Since then, we only go to Woodware for outdoor furniture. Everyone who visits us comments on how great the chairs, tables, and sofas look and feel. The service is beyond accommodating. If anything is not to your satisfaction, they make the effort to correct, redirect or offer alternatives. Buying local is a key value for us and the Woodware team embodies that family focus.

I love Woodware! I make sure to stop at Woodware every time I am in Middlebury, Vermont. Sure,…read moreI'm not up there often, but I never forget to visit. I've been going there on and off for years and years and I am so happy it is still in business. I have a plethora of different objects from Woodware - from a Santa tree carving to a wooden bunny ornament to a Mbira - everything is hand crafted and as beautiful as can be. The owner is super friendly and always warmly welcomes us into the store. His father used to do most of the wood carvings, and still does a good amount, but I noticed last time I was there that some of the wood trinkets were imported. Fine by me though! You can definitely feel the amount of love and care that went into each wood product. Every piece is different in its own unique way and that is so very cool. They sell everything - wooden bowls, salad tongs, chairs, tables, wood "paintings," chopping boards, rocking chairs, etc. They also sell beds, mattresses, lamps, and other regular household items. If you are looking for a special, one of a kind gift, definitely check out Woodware!

This is our favorite shop in Burlington! Everyone working is so helpful and personable. I always…read morefind everyone on my list something from Slate -

Since moving from VT about a year and a half ago, I've only been back to visit twice. It's sad to…read morecome back and see all the awesome new stores coming in that I'm missing out on! Slate is definitely one of those stores. I stopped in on Christmas Eve just to browse around and I wish I could have bought everything in the place! It is a pretty hipster little store, and everything inside would be both useful to have in your home and serve as a conversation starter with guests. The items are unique, interesting, and high quality. There are kitchen gadgets, bar cart fixings, home decor items, greeting cards, jewelry...the list goes on. It's a great store and fits well with the Church Street aesthetic.

Great wine selection, along with a small but thoughtfully curated section of savory and sweet…read moretreats that can be paired or enjoyed solo. Lots of cute stuff and plenty of local flavor on display. Very glad I stumbled upon this spot! I would definitely recommend it if you're a wine lover or are looking for a gift for that hard to please matriarch figure in your life. Also: they accept Apple Pay! Super convenient!

Any public market that is both highly curated and engaging is alright with me! This pair of…read moreex-Corporate Americans truly have their fingers on the pulse of what matters most to Vermonters. A sense of community is a blessing nowadays.

This was probably our favorite shop in downtown Woodstock…read more We walked in and were greeted warmly and spent a few minutes walking around looking at the beautiful works - the train, ornaments and different tinkling bells. I ended up purchasing a Christmas themed candle holder for my mother that had tiny acorns around the base, but many of the thoughtful ornaments really called to me, so I'll definitely be looking them up again come holiday time! Overall, a really beautiful warm store that if you're in the area you should definitely stop into.

When I learned that Whistle Pig is actually distilled in Vermont and that they had a tasting room…read moreinside Danforth Pewter which was literally down the road from our inn, I was thrilled! I've enjoyed Whistle Pig for quite some time now so I insisted on stopping here for a visit. We purchased a bottle after sipping on some samplers and after my husband whole heartedly agreed that the whiskey was terrific. The shop is cute and a good place for gifts if it suits your tastes. I did find it interesting to learn a bit about pewter and the craftsmanship that goes into them.

Highly recommend!! My sewing machine had some mysterious mechanical issues with the tension so I…read morebrought it in to get fixed. They fixed it perfectly and didn't even charge me anything more than the basic service fee. The person I talked to on the phone before I took it in didn't seem to know a lot about sewing machines, which didn't instill a lot of confidence, but don't let that dissuade you! The person who actually does the repairs is incredible!

Always willing to help. Amazing customer service. Can't recommend highly enough…read more If you're thinking of buying a sewing machine, there's no better place. Free service on your new machine in the first year after you purchase it there. Class instruction on your new machine for $25 which is refunded after you take the class.

This is their original location on Frog Hollow…read more ++. Ambiance is an interestingly laid out art gallery with a small event space with an iconic view of Middlebury Falls. +++. Well curated mixed media pieces: paintings, potteries, tiny to big sculptures that appeal to traditional as well as fun eclectic collectors. +. Prices are high, reflect quality object of desire. ++. Service is pleasant. =. Parking is street but tight on Mill St.

If you're a Middlebury College student or a resident of Middlebury town looking for a quick escape,…read moreyou might find yourself here. This place is a free art gallery at the end of Merchant's Row that's open to the public. Here, you can walk in and look around at all the art pieces. I reckon that the gallery doubles as a marketplace for art buyers, as there are price stickers attached to all the pieces. The art here is also quite expensive! (I suppose most fine art is. Makes sense.) There's something soothing about walking around the gallery. Perhaps it's just the small town atmosphere that fills the town. Edgewater is just so easily accessible if you ever find yourself wandering around in "downtown" Middlebury. It serves its purpose well as an art gallery, no complaints. (Though, I recall seeing plastic vegetables mounted on a wooden board being sold for several hundred dollars. Everybody's a critic, including me.) This place serves as a great way for local Vermont artists to get their name and work out there. I hope that when I come back, I'll see some new pieces-- otherwise, these artists likely aren't selling their work!

We recently -- during the pandemic! -- bought an end table and two little benches that they made…read morefor us to our specifications, out of their light cherry wood. They were delivered on time, exactly as we wanted, and are gorgeous.